Saturday, February 6, 2016

DC Shot of the Day: Sir William Blackstone

Sir William Blackstone

Nobody wants to go to court; but if you happen to be around the National Mall, we encourage you to swing by the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on Constitution Avenue, NW (across the street from the National Gallery of Art East Building. There (standing guard) is Sir William Blackstone, a bronze statue of 18th century British judge William Blackstone. The 9' tall statue was created by sculptor Paul Wayland Bartlett almost 100 years ago (1920) and installed on August 11, 1943.

Who's William Blackstone? He wrote Commentaries on the Laws of England, which heavily influenced the likes of Presidents John Adams, Abraham Lincoln and Chief Justice John Marshall. Click here to learn more.