Who's Who: Hanging Out in Central Park Quiz

Answer: Christopher Columbus

The title "Admiral of the Ocean Sea" was part of the negotiated agreement, called the Capitulations of Santa Fe, that was made between Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand and Isabella, the King and Queen of Spain. He was also to receive the right as Viceroy and Governor to rule any land that he found, and 10% of the goods that were obtained from the land free of taxes. In addition, these rights were to be inherited by members of his family. Unfortunately, for Columbus the importance of his voyages was not to be realized until after his death. His stint as Governor of Hispaniola was not successful; in 1500 he was not only removed from office, but also arrested - accused of tyranny and mistreatment of those he ruled. His wealth, however, was reinstated prior to his early death at the age of 54.

The statue of Christopher Columbus in Central Park was sculpted by Jeronimo Sunol, a Spanish artist. It is located on East Drive.

Answer: William Shakespeare

Also called "The Bard of Avon", in reference to his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, there were other writers like Ben Johnson who were more popular than Shakespeare was during his lifetime. Shortly after his death, however, two of his friends published "First Folio" (1623), a collection of his plays. His popularity grew after that, especially when David Garrick, a well-known actor and investor in the productions at Drury Lane, organized a festival in 1763 at Stratford-upon-Avon that featured Shakespeare's plays. Garrick also wrote of the "matchless Bard", and stated, "For the Bard of all bards, was a Warwickshire Bard!"

John Quincy Adams Ward sculpted the statue of William Shakespeare in Central Park. It is located at 67th Street and The Mall.

Answer: Robert Burns

Also called "The Bard of Ayrshire" and "Scotland's Favorite Son", Robert Burns is recognized as the national poet of Scotland. Born in Ayrshire, Burns was educated at home by his father, who was a tenant farmer. Continuing in his father's line of work, Burns is commonly called the "Ploughman Poet". As he farmed, Burns wrote poetry about the work that he did, the land, the people he met along the way, and their culture. It appears that he did wish to be known as a Scots poet, as he wrote in "The Answer" (1787),

"...Ev'n then a wish (I mind its power)
A wish, that to my latest hour
Shall strongly heave my breast;
That I for poor auld Scotland's sake
Some useful plan, or book could make,
Or sing a sang at least..."

The Robert Burns Memorial, created by Sir John Steell, is found on Literary Walk in Central Park.

Answer: Samuel Morse

As a young man Samuel Morse made his living as a portrait painter, having studied at the Royal Academy in London and had established quite a fine reputation as an artist. It was later in life that he became well-known for his development of the telegraph and Morse Code. At about the same time he was receiving acclaim for his contributions to communications, Morse opened a studio to make daguerreotypes. While he was studying art in Europe, he had met Louis Daguerre and became interested in his technique. He was one of the first in the United States to make portraits using Daguerre's methods; his famous photography students included Matthew Brady, who became famous taking pictures during the Civil War.

The Samuel Finley Breese Morse Memorial, sculpted by Byron M. Pickett, is found at 72nd Street and 5th Avenue in Central Park.

Answer: Alexander Hamilton

One of the most important early leaders of the United States, Alexander Hamilton fought in the American Revolution, eventually served as an aide to General Washington, and returned to active combat before the end of the war. Afterward he was appointed as the first Secretary of the Treasury by President George Washington. Hamilton proposed the establishment of a national bank that could be used to loan the government money, issue paper money, and pay off state debts. In addition, a system for the collection of federal taxes was established.

Sculpted by Carl Conrads, the statue of Alexander Hamilton is found on East Drive in Central Park.

Answer: Edward Kennedy Ellington

The son of two pianists, Edward "Duke" Ellington began taking piano lessons by the age of 7. His mother wanted him to be in the company of adults, like his piano teacher, Marietta Clinkscales, who would be good role models and expect good behavior. Ellington said that his childhood friend, Edgar McEntree, gave him the nickname; "I think he felt that in order for me to be eligible for his constant companionship, I should have a title. So he called me Duke". It is also written, however, that the nickname was due to the fact that Ellington was a young gentleman, in appearance, as well as demeanor.

The Duke Ellington Memorial, sculpted by Robert Graham, is located at 5th Avenue and 110th Street in Central Park.

Answer: Frederick Douglass

Known by many names and titles, including "Reverend Douglass" and "The Sage of Cedar Hill", Frederick Douglass, a licensed pastor, earned the nickname "The Lion of Anacostia" after he accepted a job offer by President Rutherford B. Hayes as the United States Marshal for the District of Columbia. He purchased a home, which he and his wife called Cedar Hill, that overlooked the Anacostia River in what is considered to have been the first subdivision in Washington, D.C. Some sources say that Douglass had been called "The Lion" because of the hairstyle that he apparently wore his entire life.

Gabriel Koren sculpted the Frederick Douglass Memorial, which is located at 110th Street and 8th Avenue in Central Park.

Answer: Sir Walter Scott

Also called "The Magician of the North", Sir Walter Scott earned the nicknames because his stories, such as "Rob Roy" (1817) and "Ivanhoe" (1820) were set in historic Scotland. His creation of independent characters and descriptions of beautiful terrain and scenery, had a big impact on tourism in Scotland shortly after his works were published. Attracting the attention of the future King George IV after relocating the Crown Jewels that had been stored away in Edinburgh Castle, Scott was asked to host the visit of the king to Scotland after his coronation. It is written than Scott was even able to arrange for the King to wear a kilt, which had been banned in 1745.

Sir John Steell sculpted the Sir Walter Scott Memorial, which is located on Literary Walk in Central Park.

Answer: Simon Bolivar

Simon Bolivar led the revolutionary movement in South America; his efforts guaranteed the independence of Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama from Spanish rule. Sent to study in Europe at a young age, Bolivar was introduced to the ideas of the Enlightenment. Beginning in 1808, it took thirteen years to for his native Venezuela to gain independence. He served as president of Gran Colombia, a state which included many countries of the northern area of South America as they gained their freedom from Spain; at the same time he directed the necessary military campaigns to free the area from Spanish control.

The Simon Bolivar Monument, sculpted by Sally James Farnham, is loated at 59th Street and 6th Avenue in Central Park.

Answer: William Tecumseh Sherman

The use of "Cump" as a nickname for William Tecumseh Sherman is well documented; the reason why it was used is not. Perhaps it would work to discuss Sherman's middle name, "Tecumseh". Some sources state that it was actually his given name and that William was added to his name after he was taken into the home of a foster family. In another source, however, Sherman stated that his father had given him the name, because he thought the Shawnee chief was a great warrior. As an adult his signature was typically "W.T. Sherman".

Augustus Saint-Gaudens sculpted the Sherman Monument, which is located in the Grand Army Plaza in Central Park.