Evelyn Beatrice Longman (November 21, 1874 – March 10, 1954) was a trailblazing American sculptor whose allegorical figure works adorned public buildings, monuments, and art expositions in early 20th-century America. Born in a log cabin on a 55-acre farm near Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, Evelyn was the daughter of Edwin Henry and Clara Delitia (Adnam) Longman, who had emigrated from England. Despite her humble beginnings, she rose to prominence, becoming the first woman sculptor to be elected a full member of the National Academy of Design in 1919.

Evelyn’s passion for art was ignited at the age of 18 when she visited the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Determined to pursue sculpture, she attended Olivet College in Michigan for a year before returning to Chicago to study anatomy, drawing, and sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago under the mentorship of Lorado Taft. Her dedication paid off when she completed the four-year course in just two years, earning her diploma in record time.

In 1901, with just $40 in her pocket, Evelyn moved to New York City to further her studies under renowned sculptors Hermon Atkins MacNeil and Daniel Chester French. Her first major success came at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where her sculpture “Victory” was so highly regarded that it was placed atop the centerpiece of Festival Hall, marking her debut in large-scale public sculpture.

One of the highlights of Longman’s career was her involvement in the construction of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Evelyn worked closely with Daniel Chester French, the principal sculptor, and Henry Bacon, the architect, to bring this iconic monument to life. She contributed significantly to the interior of the memorial, carving sculptural wreath ornaments and offering critical advice during the creation of the seated Lincoln figure. Despite her vital role in this historic project, Evelyn rarely spoke about her contributions to the press, preferring to let her work speak for itself.

Throughout her career, Evelyn Longman created numerous iconic works, cementing her place in art history. Her marriage to Nathaniel Batchelder on June 28, 1920, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, was a significant milestone in her personal life. Evelyn passed away on March 10, 1954, in Osterville, Massachusetts, at the age of 79. Her ashes were scattered at Chesterwood, the summer estate of her mentor, Daniel Chester French.

In 1915, AT&T commissioned Longman’s colossal Genius of Electricity to crown the corporate headquarters of the Telephone and Telegraph Building, New York City, preceded the commission in Des Moines.
A historic black-and-white photo of a group of men and one woman, Evelyn Beatrice Longman, standing around the head of the Lincoln Memorial statue, showcasing the artists and craftsmen who worked on the iconic monument.