Thursday, January 26, 2012

Mr. Twain Again

Samuel Clemens a/k/a Mark Twain was Hartford's most famous 19th century resident.  We feel his presence all around the city.  This statue by Kansas sculptor Jim Brothers is in front of the Hartford Public Library.

The library underwent a major expansion in the 1990s.  This sculpture was put in storage for safekeeping, and the library forgot to save a place for it in front of the building,.  When someone finally remembered the statue, it was placed around back, next to the trash cans.

Finally, in 2010 the library's director was able to make arrangements with a private donor to pay to relocate Mark Twain back to a place of honor in front of the library.

22 comments:

Birdman said...

Love Twain quote. The man was a walking riot in a white suit.

Lowell said...

A place of honor is what he deserves. What a guy! Wish we had more like him today...

Re your comment on Ocala: I did try to do what you said - after took the picture. I whistled nonchalantly and ambled away. Well, does running at 10 mph constitute "ambling"?

brattcat said...

i can just image the story he'd tell about this experience. we'd be rolling on the floor.

VP said...

An excellent sculpture, thanks to the private donor!

Kate said...

Despite the fact that I enjoy the desert, this strong sculpture makes me remember and miss the Mississippi that rolls by not-too-far from our house in St. Paul.

Sharon said...

Good news. He really does belong in front of the Library!

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

My thought is the same as Bratcat's. I would really like to read whatever Twain would have written about being placed next to the trash bins.

For all those who complain about Twain's use of the language of his era, they should read his "Puddinhead Wilson" for insight into his views of race and discrimination.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful!

Luis Gomez said...

Very nice piece Jack.

joo said...

It's a very nice sculpture of this great writer!

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm glad it was moved to a place of honour! My goodness, what were they thinking when they put it out back?

Sylvia K said...

I'm so happy to see him where he deserves to be! I've been an admirer of Twain for many years. He was an incredibly wise man with a terrific sense of humor. Wonderful post, Jack!

Sylvia

RedPat said...

He probably would have spun a good tale about being out by the trash!

sheila lynch said...

Very nice picture. Great story about statue, almost
" Twainish".

My favorite Twain quote is "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

cieldequimper said...

That's a beautiful bronze.

Kay said...

One has to wonder that they couldn't think of a better place than next to trash cans! I'm glad the director went to work on the indignity!

Randy said...

Excellent sculpture.

Bob Crowe said...

Missouri's gift to Connecticut. When I saw the thumbnail for a minute I thought it was Ed Muskie.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Quelle horreur!! the trash cans, but I bet 'himself' would have been having a bit of a laugh about that!! Enjoyed your telling of this tale Jack.

Tash said...

Nice piece of work.
I also think MT would have an interesting comment regarding the rear/trashy exile. Heh!

Halcyon said...

Nice they found a way to get good old Mark/Samuel in his rightful place. He's such an American icon.

Valladolid Daily Photo said...

YES!, What a coincidence, although I have to say that my writer does not have the fame of yours.