John B. Gordon (1832-1904) rose to the rank of lieutenant general in the Confederate Army -- one of only three Georgians to achieve that rank. Subsequently, he served in the U.S. Senate, became a railroad promoter, served as governor of Georgia (and was the first to occupy the office in the newly completed state capitol), and returned to the U.S. Senate. [Click here to see photo of Gordon in uniform and here to see photo in civilian dress. Click here for biographical information on Gordon.]

A few days after Gordon's death, Solon H. Borglum, brother of Gutzon Borglum (who was involved initially in the Stone Mountain sculpture), was commissioned to do a bronze statue of Gordon. Borglum designed the statue based on a photograph of Gordon sitting erect on his horse Marye. The statue was located on the northwest corner of the square block on which the state capitol is located, where it remains today. It was unveiled in ceremonies on May 25, 1907. Reportedly, it is the only equestrian statue in Atlanta.

For other color images of the Gordon statue:

Early 1900s color postcard

Complete statue

Detail of statue

Historical plaque on base of monument

Bas-relief plaques on base of monument

 

 

 

© Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

Go to Georgia Statues and Monuments page