Behold the John Witherspoon Statue. It stands proudly at the intersection of 18th Street NW Connecticut Avenue and N Street NW. This bronze figure is more than just a sculpture. It’s a testament to a remarkable life. John Witherspoon a Presbyterian minister member of Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence is immortalized here.
Born in Scotland Witherspoon immigrated to the US in the 1760s. He became president of the College of New Jersey now Princeton University. He championed the Thirteen Colonies’ fight for freedom from Great Britain. He served in the Second Continental Congress the only reverend to do so. He even served in the US Congress after the war. Tragically he lost his eyesight in 1792 and died two years later.
The statue itself wasn’t erected until over a century after his death. The Witherspoon Memorial Association formed in 1907. They raised funds and lobbied Congress for permission to place the memorial on public land. Congress approved in 1908. Sculptor William Couper began work and the statue was dedicated in 1909. The dedication was a grand affair. Woodrow Wilson James S Sherman and others attended.
The statue depicts Witherspoon holding a Bible. One pedestal inscription contains a powerful quote from him. It highlights his unwavering commitment to the cause of independence. Even after the Church of the Covenant was demolished in 1966 requests to move the statue were denied.
The John Witherspoon Statue is more than a bronze figure. It’s a powerful symbol. It represents a pivotal moment in American history. It honors a man who dedicated his life to faith and country. It is a part of fourteen American Revolution Statuary on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a lasting tribute to a truly exceptional individual.