Today in History: Daniel Chester French

Chesterwood, Daniel Chester Wood's studio
Today in History–April 20–the Library of Congress features sculptor Daniel Chester French, born on this day in 1850. Encouraged to pursue a career as an artist by Louisa May Alcott, French completed his first big commission for the statue The Minute Man, when he was just 25.  Find out more about this preeminent monumental sculptor who also created the Lincoln Memorial sculpture by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources about French and the art of sculpture.

Daniel Chester French sculpture image set

Daniel Chester French historical newspaper coverage

Chesterwood

Sculpture primary source set

Sculpture image set

Point of View in Statues of Abraham Lincoln: Three Looks at a Leader — A Primary Source Starter Teaching with the Library of Congress

Learning from the Source: Mourning Lincoln & the Art of Tribute lesson plan