Alexander Milne Calder: Statue of William Penn

High in the skyline of Philadelphia stands a towering statue of William Penn, watching over the city he helped shape. The sculpture placed on top of Philadelphia City Hall, is one of its most recognizable landmarks.

Alexander Milne Calder (1846–1923) created this famous monument and many other sculptures that decorate Philadelphia City Hall. Born in Scotland, Calder began his career by carving stone and studying traditional sculpture techniques. After moving to the U.S., he settled in Philadelphia, where he continued his artistic training and became involved in large art projects. His work played an important role in shaping the artistic character of the city in the late 19th century.

The statue of William Penn, completed in 1894 and standing 37 feet tall, is one of Calder’s most famous works. Calder first created a smaller clay model. The statue was later cast in bronze and lifted atop City Hall tower in separate pieces. Even today, it remains one of the largest statues gracing a building anywhere in the world.

William Penn was an English Quaker who founded the colony of Pennsylvania in the late 17th century. Born in London in 1644, he believed strongly in religious freedom and fairness among people of different backgrounds. He hoped to build a peaceful society where individuals could practice their religion freely, so he later founded the city he named Philidelphia, merging the Greek words for “brotherly love.” Hence it has always been known as the “City of Brotherly Love.”

The statue overlooking the city honors Penn’s influence on the history of Pennsylvania and reflects the ideals and lasting commitment to freedom that he promoted.
—Prepared by the World Tribune staff