Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: William Pfingsten
Taken: September 9, 2007
Caption: Statue of Captain John O'Donnell (now removed).
Additional Description: 1979 bronze by Tylden Streett (1922– ) is approx. 8 feet high on a six foot granite base.

From the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System: “John O’Donnell, a native of Limerick, Ireland, arrived in Baltimore in 1785. Already a wealthy merchant, he purchased several tracts of waterfront land east of Fells Point and named his property after Canton, China, from where he imported many of his goods. He represented the city of Baltimore in the State legislature, gained a repuation as an orator, and became known as the ‘Father of the Potomac Canal.’ Although a Colonel in the Militia, he was known as Captain O’Donnell because of the many ships he owned and sailed. During his career, he was, among other things, a clerk, an accountant, a ship owner, a wine maker, a politician, an adventurer, and was once captured by Arabs and sold into slavery. He held a position in the East India Company. At the age of 56, he was one of the wealthiest men in America.”
Submitted: September 10, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
Database Locator Identification Number: p6847
File Size: 0.887 Megabytes

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