| Ed Hamilton | |
| Birth Name: | Edward Norton Hamilton, Jr. |
| Birth Date: | 14 February 1947 |
| Birth Place: | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Nationality: |  American |
| Field: | Sculpture |
| Training: | Barney Bright |
| Works: | Spirit of Freedom |
Edward Norton Hamilton Jr. (born February 14, 1947)[1] is an American sculptor living in Louisville, Kentucky, who specializes in public art. His most famous work is The Spirit of Freedom, a memorial to black Civil War veterans, that stands in Washington, DC, in the Shaw neighborhood near Howard University.[2] Hamilton has also created monuments dedicated to Booker T. Washington, Joe Louis, York (William Clark's manservant on the Lewis and Clark Expedition), and the slaves who revolted on La Amistad.[3]
Ed Hamilton was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in Louisville by Amy Jane (Camp) and Edward Norton Hamilton Sr. He graduated from Shawnee High School (Kentucky) in 1965, then received a scholarship to Louisville's Art Center, where he studied sculpture and painting.[4] He graduated from the Louisville School of Art in 1969 and also studied at Spalding University,[5] then started his teaching career in 1973 at Iroquois High School.
Hamilton, originally a painter, had a chance meeting with Barney Bright - the sculptor responsible for the Derby Clock and the River Horse statue - that changed Hamilton's life.[3] Bright made Hamilton his apprentice, giving him a place to work and the opportunity to learn sculpting.[4] Since learning under Barney Bright, Hamilton has taught sculpture at Jefferson Community College and is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
On December 16, 2004, Hamilton received a Doctor of Arts honorary Degree from the University of Louisville. Two days later, December 18, 2004, Hamilton received an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from Western Kentucky University.[4]
In 2006, Hamilton self-published an autobiography, The Birth of An Artist: a journey of discovery, in which he talked about his work and the creative process. The book was a popular feature of the Kentucky Book Fair in 2007. While working on the book, Hamilton, at age 57, discovered that he was adopted.[6]
In June 2009, Hamilton completed work on the memorial statue of Abraham Lincoln which is located near the base of the Big Four Bridge at the Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky.[2]