Statue of George Peabody

You are standing before the bronze statue of George Peabody, an American merchant banker who earned the title of the father of modern philanthropy. Unlike most public monuments that honor individuals long after their passing, this statue was unveiled in July 1869 while Peabody was still alive. He was too frail to attend the ceremony himself, and he died just three months after the sculpture was dedicated to his contributions to the city.