Delmar Loop in University City in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

William Greenleaf Eliot

Born August 5, 1811

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 7, 2018

1. William Greenleaf Eliot Marker

Inscription. Coming to St. Louis in 1834 to found a Unitarian church, Minister William Greenleaf Eliot devoted his life to improving his adopted city. Eliot was pivotal in developing the public school system and many other educational and philanthropic institutions. He preached for abolition and women's rights, and created the Western Sanitary Commission to provide medical care and supplies during the Civil War. His crowning achievement was the 1853 co-founding of Washington University, originally named "Eliot Seminary." The guiding hand behind the school's success, he served as its first president and third chancellor. Grandfather of poet T.S. Eliot, William Greenleaf Eliot was called "The Saint of the West" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Erected 2003 by St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, St. Louis Walk of Fame, and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 38° 39.373′ N, 90° 18.514′ W. Marker is in University

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City, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is in Delmar Loop. It is at the intersection of Delmar Boulevard and Kingsland Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Delmar Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6676 Delmar Boulevard, Saint Louis MO 63130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ed Macauley (a few steps from this marker); Rogers Hornsby (a few steps from this marker); Walker Evans (a few steps from this marker); Michael McDonald (within shouting distance of this marker); Fontella Bass (within shouting distance of this marker); Ozzie Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); William T. Sherman (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackie Joyner-Kersee (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in University City.

Also see . . .
1. William Greenleaf Eliot. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 6, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. First Unitarian Church of St. Louis. Website homepage (Submitted on February 1, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Additional keywords. Unitarian Universalism, UUism

William Greenleaf Eliot image. Click for full size.

via Wikipedia, unknown

2. William Greenleaf Eliot

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 10, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on March 6, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of marker in context • Can you help?