Charles William Eliot

W. Clark Noble, Charles William Eliot, 1924, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1927.12.1
Copied W. Clark Noble, Charles William Eliot, 1924, bronze, 3 in. (7.6 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1927.12.1
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Artwork Details

Title
Charles William Eliot
Artist
Date
1924
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
3 in. (7.6 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • Portrait male — Eliot, Charles William — bust
  • Object — written matter
  • Object — foliage — laurel
  • Portrait male — Eliot, Charles William — elderly
Object Number
1927.12.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1927.12.1

Artwork Description

The obverse of William Clark Noble’s medal shows Charles William Eliot (1834-1926), who served as president of Harvard University from 1869 to 1909. Eliot’s major accomplishments include editing the Harvard Classics and spearheading the elective system, which allowed students greater freedom in course selection. The laurel wreath behind the portrait profile appears as well on the reverse, accompanied by a dedication that may have come from Eliot’s often quoted public remarks.