Elbridge Gerry Monument, (sculpture).

Elbridge Gerry Monument, (sculpture).

Frazee, John, 1790-1852, carver.

Frazee, William, carver.

Elbridge Gerry Monument, (sculpture).

Installed 1823.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: marble; Base sandstone.

Sculpture: approx. 11 ft. x 4 ft. 10 in. x 4 ft. 10 in.; Base: approx. 10 in. x 6 ft. x 6 ft.

(Front of monument:) THE TOMB OF ELBRIDGE GERRY/ VICE PRESIDENT/OF THE UNITED STATES;/WHO DIED SUDDENLY IN THIS CITY/ON HIS WAY TO THE CAPITOL/AS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE,/ NOVEMBER 23, 1811;/AGED 70./THUS FULFILLING/HIS OWN MEMORABLE INJUNCTION: "IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN, THOUGH/HE MAY HAVE BUT ONE DAY TO LIVE/TO DEVOTE THAT DAY, TO THE /GOOD OF HIS COUNTRY (Back of monument:) ERECTED/CONGRESS/UNITED STATES/1823 unsigned

A short pyramid topped with a low balustrade, an urn, and a flame. The pyramid is adorned with inscriptions and architectural detailing. The sculpture rests on a low, square base.

Homage -- Gerry, Elbridge

Object -- Other -- Vase

Allegory -- Element -- Fire

Architecture -- Detail -- Balcony

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, S.E., Washington, District of Columbia 20003

Located Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, S.E., Northeast section, range 29, sites 9-10, Washington, District of Columbia 20003

Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814) was elected Vice President under James Madison 1812. He was originally from Massachusetts and began his political career fighting British taxation along with Samuel Adams in 1772. He went on to associated himself with Revolutionary War leaders such as John Hancock, and John Adams and eventually served in the Second Continental Congress 1789-1793. He became a Republican and was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1810. During his term as governor, redistricting took place in the state which helped Republicans. The term "gerrymandering" was invented because one of the redrawn districts looked like a salamander.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 91-92.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.

Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 1.42.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. A-40.

Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 1.42.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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