''Roger B. Taney'' is a 19th-century bronze statue of Chief Justice of the United States

Roger B. Taney Roger Brooke Taney (; March 17, 1777 – October 12, 1864) was the fifth chief justice of the United States, holding that office from 1836 until his death in 1864. Although an opponent of slavery, believing it to be an evil practice, Taney belie ...

(1777–1864), by

William Henry Rinehart William Henry Rinehart (September 13, 1825 – October 28, 1874) was a noted American sculptor. He is considered "the last important American sculptor to work in the classical style." Biography The son of Israel Rinehart (1792–1871) and Mary ...

. It was located in

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; ...

at the North Garden in

Mount Vernon Place Mount Vernon is a neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, located immediately north of the city's downtown district. Designated a city Cultural District, it is one of the oldest neighborhoods originally home to the city's wealthiest and most fashion ...

prior to being removed by the city of Baltimore in 2017.

History

The sculpture was a gift to the City of Baltimore from the businessman and art collector

William T. Walters William Thompson Walters (May 23, 1820 – November 22, 1894) was an American businessman and art collector, whose collection formed the basis of the Walters Art Museum. Early life Walters was born on the Juniata River in Liverpool, Penns ...

, whose home faced Mount Vernon Place. It is a recast of the Roger B. Taney Monument at

Annapolis, Maryland Annapolis ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Maryland and the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Anne Arundel County. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east ...

. The sculpture was unveiled to the public in 1887. Amidst controversy about the presence of a statue honoring the author of the infamous ''Dred Scott'' decision, the sculpture was removed by the City of Baltimore in 2017 and put into storage. In the August 14, 2017, City Council session, they also voted unanimously to remove the

Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee Monument The Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee Monument, often referred to simply as the Jackson and Lee Monument or Lee and Jackson Monument, was a double equestrian statue of Confederate generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, formerly located ...

, the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the Confederate Women's Monument.

Inscription

The inscription read:
(On rear

proper left Proper right and proper left are conceptual terms used to unambiguously convey relative direction when describing an image or other object. The "proper right" hand of a figure is the hand that would be regarded by that figure as its right hand. ...

side of sculpture:)
inv et(?) mod. W. H. Rinehart Rom
(On rear proper right side of sculpture:)
FERD. VON MILLER
(...inscription illegible)
MUNCHEN 188(?)
(On scroll in figure's right hand:)
THE CONSTITUTION
(On plaque on front of granite base:)
ROGER B. TANEY OF MARYLAND
CHIEF JUSTICE
signed Founder's mark appears

References

1871 sculptures 1887 sculptures Bronze sculptures in Maryland History of racism in Maryland Landmarks in Baltimore Mount Vernon, Baltimore Outdoor sculptures in Baltimore Relocated buildings and structures in Maryland Sculptures of men in Maryland Statues in Maryland Tourist attractions in Baltimore {{Maryland-struct-stub

History

Inscription

See also

References