Isaac Scott Hathaway facts for kids

Isaac Scott Hathaway (born April 4, 1872, died March 12, 1967) was an amazing African American artist. He created many types of art, like pottery (called ceramics) and sculpture. He is famous for designing two special U.S. coins.

Early Life and Artistic Dreams

Isaac Hathaway was born in 1872 in Lexington, Kentucky. His parents were Reverend Robert Elijah Hathaway and Rachel Scott. Isaac was the youngest child in his family. After his mother passed away, his father raised him.

Isaac's dream of becoming an artist started when he visited a museum. He noticed there were no artworks made by or showing African Americans. Right then, he promised himself he would create art to represent his people.

Learning and Creating Art

Isaac began his formal studies at Chandler Junior College in Lexington in 1890. He then took classes in art and drama at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. While in Boston, he made his very first sculpture. It was a bust (a sculpture of a person's head and shoulders) of Bishop Richard Allen. Bishop Allen was the first bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Hathaway went to many different colleges to learn more. He studied at Chandler College, Pittsburg Auxiliary Normal College, New York State College of Ceramics, and the Ceramic College at the State University of Kansas. He learned about art history and ceramics. He also became very interested in sculpture. His first official training in ceramics was at the Cincinnati Art Academy.

After finishing school, Hathaway returned to Kentucky. He worked as a teacher in an elementary school. In his free time, he started making his own artworks. Most of his pieces were sculptures.

Famous Sculptures and Coin Designs

Isaac Hathaway is best known for his busts of famous African Americans. One of his personal heroes was Frederick Douglass. Most of Hathaway's sculptures were made from plaster, but he also created some from bronze.

Hathaway's success had a lasting impact. He taught at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Later, he moved to Tuskegee Institute. There, he helped start the Department of Ceramics.

He also made history as the first African American to design a U.S. coin. During his life, Hathaway designed two different U.S. coins. His first coin was the Booker T. Washington Memorial half dollar in 1946. It showed the face of Booker T. Washington. His second coin was the George Washington Carver/Booker T. Washington commemorative half dollar in 1951. This coin featured both George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington.

Later Life and Legacy

Isaac Hathaway's artworks are now shown in a museum named after him. This museum is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Hathaway passed away in Montgomery, Alabama on March 12, 1967. He was 94 years old. His art continues to inspire many people.