Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

Thomas Crawford Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Purchase

Processing Information:

Processed by Cynthia L. Barwick in 1984.

Biographical Information:

Thomas Gibson Crawford (March 22, 1813/14 - October 10, 1857) was a sculptor who was born in New York City, the son of Aaron & Mary (Gibson) Crawford. He went to Rome to study sculpture in 1835 and made that city his home, visiting America only rarely. His major accomplishments include the figure above the dome of the United States Capitol entitled Freedom, and the bronze doors and pediment statues for the Senate wing.

Crawford died of cancer, in London, where he had gone for treatment on October 10, 1857 before Freedom was completed, and another artist finished the fine details. Another major work is "Orpheus and Cerebus" (1843), displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He was married to Louisa Cutler Ward, a sister of Julia Ward Howe, and by her had four children. His only son was the writer Francis Marion Crawford. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .

Scope and Contents

Two undated letters of Thomas Crawford, American sculptor, to William F. Ritchie (discussing exhibits in Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Va.) and to G. W. Greene (asking him to visit).

2 items.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Sculptors--United States