Boston Landmarks with Scottish Connections in Back Bay, Fens, South Boston & Quincy
Bacchante and Infant Faun at BPL by sculptor Frederick MacMonnies
Boston Public Library Courtyard
This controversial masterpiece was created in 1893 by American-born sculptor Frederick MacMonnies (1863-1937), the son of William and Julinana Eudora (West) MacMonnies. His father William emigrated to New York from the Isle of Whithorn in Dumfries, Scotland and became a successful grain merchant.
Frederick gave the original casting of Bacchante to his friend, architect Charles Follen McKim, whose own masterpiece, the Boston Public Library, was being built. When the statue was unveiled at Boston Public Library, an outcry ensued from puritanical opponents who objected to the nudity of Bacchante, the Goddess of Wine. McKim withdrew the gift, giving it instead to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where the original piece still resides.
The controversy over the censorship of the artwork gained MacMonnies a certain notoriety, and he made numerous replicas of the work which he sold to museums and bronze statuettes, which he sold wholesale to the general public. A century later, in 1993, the library installed a replica of the now famous statue, where it is enjoyed by millions of visitors each year.
Scotland’s beloved poet and bard Robert Burns (1759 – 1796) is honored in Boston with a statue along with his dog Luath, walking the highlands of Scotland. The Burns statue was originally unveiled in the Fens on January 1, 1920, in a ceremony that included Governor Calvin Coolidge and a regiment of Highland bagpipers. Created by sculptor Henry Hudson Kitson, the bronze statue sits atop a 30 ton granite base.
The statue was mysteriously moved in 1975 to the newly opened Winthrop Square in Boston's Financial District, despite outcry from Boston's Scottish community.
Then on October 30, 2019, the bronze Burns statue was returned to The Fens, with local Scottish leaders, open space advocates and consular officials. Scottish vocalist Maureen McMullan provided the music for the Burns' return.
Robert Burns Statue in Quincy, by sculptor John Horrigan
A 25-ton statue of Scottish bard Robert Burns was unveiled in Quincy, MA on November 28, 1925, as part of the city's 300 year celebration. The statue depicts Burns holding his hat in one hand and a book of poems in the other hand, with a sheaf of wheat by his side.
It was designed by noted Quincy sculptor John Horrigan and carved by his son Gerald Horrigan, who also sculpted the famous Titanic Memorial in Washington DC. The Burns statue was originally sited at School and Franklin streets, but later moved to its present location.
The statue was paid for by Clan MacGregor, a local group that initiated the project two decades earlier and presented to the City of Quincy by Neil A. Macdonald, president of the Robert Burns Memorial Association. The Clan MacGregor Glee Club sang a number of Scottish songs, and the Star Spangled Banner at the end of the program, while Mrs. Edith Scott Magna read one of her original poems at the ceremony.
Donald McKay Monument
Castle Island, South Boston
Donald McKay (1810-1870), America's most famous ship builder was born at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, one of 16 sons and daughters born to Hugh and Ann McPherson McKay. Donald's grandfather, also named Donald, was from Tain, Ross-Shire in Scottish Highlands who came here during the American Revolution.
At age 22, Donald McKay moved to New York and became a ship carpenter's apprentice, and worked at various shipyard in the Northeast, gaining master ship building status in Newburyport in 1841. Backed by Boston merchant Enoch Trail, McKay built 49 vessels between 1845-1853 in his East Boston shipyard, hailed for their speed, agility and size.
His most famous ship was the Flying Cloud built in 1851, which set a record for sailing from New York to San Francisco in 89 days, two months quicker than the previous record.
In 1933, the Donald McKay Monument was unveiled on Castle Island, designed by architect William T. Aldrich. The bronze portrait medallion and ship reliefs on the obelisk were sculpted by Philip Sears.
Frederick gave the original casting of Bacchante to his friend, architect Charles Follen McKim, whose own masterpiece, the Boston Public Library, was being built. When the statue was unveiled at Boston Public Library, an outcry ensued from puritanical opponents who objected to the nudity of Bacchante, the Goddess of Wine. McKim withdrew the gift, giving it instead to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where the original piece still resides.
The controversy over the censorship of the artwork gained MacMonnies a certain notoriety, and he made numerous replicas of the work which he sold to museums and bronze statuettes, which he sold wholesale to the general public. A century later, in 1993, the library installed a replica of the now famous statue, where it is enjoyed by millions of visitors each year.
Robert Burns Statue by sculptor Henry Hudson Kitson
Robert Burns Statue
The Fens
The statue was mysteriously moved in 1975 to the newly opened Winthrop Square in Boston's Financial District, despite outcry from Boston's Scottish community.
Then on October 30, 2019, the bronze Burns statue was returned to The Fens, with local Scottish leaders, open space advocates and consular officials. Scottish vocalist Maureen McMullan provided the music for the Burns' return.
Robert Burns Statue in Quincy, by sculptor John Horrigan
Robert Burns Statue
Granite Street, Quincy
It was designed by noted Quincy sculptor John Horrigan and carved by his son Gerald Horrigan, who also sculpted the famous Titanic Memorial in Washington DC. The Burns statue was originally sited at School and Franklin streets, but later moved to its present location.
The statue was paid for by Clan MacGregor, a local group that initiated the project two decades earlier and presented to the City of Quincy by Neil A. Macdonald, president of the Robert Burns Memorial Association. The Clan MacGregor Glee Club sang a number of Scottish songs, and the Star Spangled Banner at the end of the program, while Mrs. Edith Scott Magna read one of her original poems at the ceremony.
Monument to Donald McKay by Architect William Aldrich
Donald McKay Monument
Castle Island, South Boston
Donald McKay (1810-1870), America's most famous ship builder was born at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, one of 16 sons and daughters born to Hugh and Ann McPherson McKay. Donald's grandfather, also named Donald, was from Tain, Ross-Shire in Scottish Highlands who came here during the American Revolution.
At age 22, Donald McKay moved to New York and became a ship carpenter's apprentice, and worked at various shipyard in the Northeast, gaining master ship building status in Newburyport in 1841. Backed by Boston merchant Enoch Trail, McKay built 49 vessels between 1845-1853 in his East Boston shipyard, hailed for their speed, agility and size.
His most famous ship was the Flying Cloud built in 1851, which set a record for sailing from New York to San Francisco in 89 days, two months quicker than the previous record.
In 1933, the Donald McKay Monument was unveiled on Castle Island, designed by architect William T. Aldrich. The bronze portrait medallion and ship reliefs on the obelisk were sculpted by Philip Sears.
There is also an heroic bust of Donald McKay in East Boston, created by noted sculptor Robert Shure.
In addition to these four landmarks, read about Scots-Irish heroics in the American Revolution by following the Revolutionary Irish Trail, chronicling Ulster-Scots heroes like General Henry Knox, General John Stark and Major Andrew McClary.
© Research, Text, Photos by Irishboston.org
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