University committee seeks feedback on Witherspoon statue proposal

By
Emily Aronson, Office of Communications
on Nov. 30, 2022, 4:17 p.m.
Photo by
Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

Princeton’s committee on naming is seeking feedback about a proposal from members of the University community to remove a statue of John Witherspoon that was installed on campus in 2001.

The Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) Committee on Naming is hosting listening sessions for undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni to share their views. Feedback also may be submitted online.

The statue of Witherspoon, Princeton’s sixth president, is a relatively new addition to the Princeton campus. It was installed in front of East Pyne Hall in November 2001 and is one of a pair of twin works by Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart. The other statue is at the University of Paisley, in Scotland, which originated the project.

The sculpture, made in an “intentionally classicizing style” reminiscent of a popular 19th-century approach, is unusual for its stylistic conservatism among the recent additions to the University’s campus sculpture collection, according to James Steward, the Nancy A. Nasher-David J. Haemisegger, Class of 1976, Director of the Princeton University Art Museum.

The proposal to remove the Witherspoon statue relates to the work’s unique aesthetic considerations and its placement on campus. The naming committee will evaluate the proposal within the context of the University principles that govern naming and changes to campus iconography. The committee’s work will be informed by rigorous research, scholarly expertise within and beyond the University community, and input from the broad University community.

Witherspoon, a Scottish minister, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and president of Princeton from 1768-94. As documented by the Princeton and Slavery project, Witherspoon and all of Princeton’s first nine presidents at some point in their lives enslaved people of African origin.

The CPUC Committee on Naming was established in 2016 to provide advice to the Board of Trustees with regard to the naming of programs, positions and spaces at Princeton as well as the renaming and/or changing of campus iconography. The group is made up of representatives from the faculty, undergraduates, graduate students, staff and alumni, and is chaired by Angela Creager, the Thomas M. Siebel Professor in the History of Science and chair of the Department of History.

The committee has informed the naming of a various spaces on campus, including most recently Laura Wooten Hall and Ikeda Arch.

Related Stories

Naming committee continues to evaluate Witherspoon statue proposal .

The group has held listening sessions, collected online feedback and hosted a scholarly symposium as it continues to review a proposal by members of the University community to remove or relocate a 2001 statue of John Witherspoon.

Larger than life twin statues honor Witherspoon's towering contributions; unveiling Nov. 10
 .

Board of Trustees issues decision on Witherspoon statue .

Decision informed by report of the CPUC Committee on Naming.

Princeton will name campus arch for Kentaro Ikeda ‘44, the University’s sole Japanese student during World War II .

The archway in Lockhart Hall will be called Ikeda Arch effective Oct. 4. The naming is intended to memorialize Ikeda’s experience at Princeton and recognize his inspiring persistence during extremely challenging circumstances.

Committee on Principles to Govern Renaming and Changes to Campus Iconography seeks community input .

The Ad Hoc Committee on Principles to Govern Renaming and Changes to Campus Iconography begins soliciting feedback from the campus community.

University will name building in honor of Laura Wooten, who was recognized as longest serving U.S. poll worker .

Wooten was a longtime resident of Princeton, New Jersey, and a volunteer at the polls for nearly eight decades. The naming of Laura Wooten Hall honors her outstanding service to the nation and to humanity. 

Princeton names campus arch for Kentaro Ikeda ’44, the University’s sole Japanese student during World War II .

The naming honors Ikeda's persistence in the face of adversity and stands as "a stark reminder of the complicated histories of this country and our University."