# Who would you build a statue of? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 12, 2022, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342 "2022-02-12T01:11:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carltonyourdoorman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@Carltonyourdoorman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carltonyourdoorman)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/1 "2022-02-12T01:11:30Z")
You are the Mayor of your town. Somewhere on earth. The city council authorizes you to build a statue of an important person. Who do you choose? ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/2 "2022-02-12T01:41:18Z")
My mother, for many good reasons I won’t go into here. But if by “important” you mean someone who greatly influenced the nation, I wouldn’t try to choose the greatest, as there are too many means of measuring greatness. I’d try to honor and educate by choosing someone more people need to know about, like Haym Salomon, the great American Revolution hero or Mary McLeod Bethune, the educator and civil rights leader. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/3 "2022-02-12T01:50:51Z")
Stanislav Petrov ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/4 "2022-02-12T01:53:46Z")
Nicolai Vavilov ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/5 "2022-02-12T02:17:53Z")
Someone deceased, no scandals the day after dedication. Not a politician or military hero - too potentially controversial. A first responder - always rescuing people. Lassie! Woof, woof, woof - _Stoopit Timmy’s in the well…again!_ ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/6 "2022-02-12T02:53:46Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Someone deceased, no scandals the day after dedication. > Not a politician or military hero - too potentially controversial. > A first responder - always rescuing people. Well, there’s always ROBOCOP! > **[Detroit’s giant RoboCop statue is real and it’s spectacular, at 11 feet, 2.5...](https://www.mlive.com/life/2021/02/detroits-giant-robocop-statue-is-real-and-its-spectacular-at-11-feet-25-tons.html)** > > The bronze statue is finally just about complete, but there's one problem... there's no where to display it yet. I could spend the money for the move and to construct a pedestal in the town and save a few bucks on the actual statue itself. More seriously, I’d consider [Hypatia of Alexandria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypatia), a person of tolerance, education and wisdom, values I would want to instill in my town. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/7 "2022-02-12T04:16:26Z")
Doxie The Dog. The Hero Stands Thus. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/8 "2022-02-12T05:00:38Z")
Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/9 "2022-02-12T08:18:04Z")
> [@](#): > > … is real and it’s spectacular I laughed. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/10 "2022-02-12T12:02:52Z")
[James Harrison.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Harrison_(blood_donor)) Wikipedia: " _…a blood plasma donor from Australia whose unusual plasma composition has been used to make a treatment for Rhesus disease. He has made over 1,000 donations throughout his lifetime, and these donations are estimated to have saved over 2.5 million babies from the condition_." [Henrietta Lacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Lacks). Wikipedia: " _…an African-American whose cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line, the first immortalized human cell line and one of the most important cell lines in medical research. An immortalized cell line reproduces indefinitely under specific conditions, and the HeLa cell line continues to be a source of invaluable medical data to the present day_. " ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/11 "2022-02-12T12:12:01Z")
It’s gotta be me. I’m the guy who was chosen to build statues. So a big one of me would be appropriate. With a hat, so the pigeons don’t shit directly on my head. Double finger-guns. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/12 "2022-02-12T14:08:14Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > James Harrison. [James Harrison](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Harrison_(American_football)) is my pick as well. > **James Henry Harrison Jr.** (born May 4, 1978) is a former [American football](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football) [outside linebacker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outside_linebacker). He played [college football](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football) for [Kent State University](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_State_Golden_Flashes_football) and was signed by the [Pittsburgh Steelers](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Steelers) as an [undrafted free agent](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undrafted_free_agent) in 2002. A five-time [Pro Bowl](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Bowl)selection, Harrison won two [Super Bowls](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl) with the Steelers: [XL](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XL) and [XLIII](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLIII). In 2008, he became the only undrafted player to be named [Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press_NFL_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year). Harrison was known for his hard-hitting style during games. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/13 "2022-02-12T14:16:25Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong. Nope, Michael Collins. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/14 "2022-02-12T14:30:15Z")
I reckon anyone who ever got a statue of them was one kind of a sumbitch or another. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/15 "2022-02-12T15:48:30Z")
Well then, this is your opportunity to correct that with a pick of your very own. I’ll go with … Sojourner Truth. Marie (Skłodowska) Curie, as well (representing my Polish heritage.) For a more pop-culture pick, Fred Rogers. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/16 "2022-02-12T16:34:11Z")
I’d build a statue to Barak Obama because 1) he was the first multi-racial US president, 2) he wasn’t in it to make himself richer, or as an ego trip, 3) he was smart, well-read, and well-spoken 4) he could be trusted with access to nukes, and 5) he’s still alive and would probably appreciate it. He perhaps wasn’t the best president we’ve ever had, but I trusted him and did the best he could, which is all you can ask of someone in high office. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/17 "2022-02-12T16:40:36Z")
the unknown firefighter (as in someone who fights fires, not someone who becomes involved in firefights) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/18 "2022-02-12T16:44:22Z")
In my home town, Albert Einstein, though they’ve already put one up.\* [https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly\_fs/1.36294903.1568675739!/httpImage/image.jpg\_gen/derivatives/landscape\_1280/image.jpg](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.36294903.1568675739!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_1280/image.jpg) Here, it would be Kurt Vonnegut. \*The building to the left in the photo used to be my grandparents’ house. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/19 "2022-02-12T20:56:44Z")
Claude Shannon. Who? you say. Well, he invented information theory, but his major accomplishment in my book is that he was the first person who showed how you can implement Boolean algebra using vacuum tubes. For his Master’s Thesis. He was also an excellent juggler, which should be in the statue. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342/20 "2022-02-13T00:19:22Z")
Tim Berners-Lee, who made this message board, my life, and the world what it is today. It looks like the [National Portrait Gallery](https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw255811/Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee) had the same idea. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-build-a-statue-of/959342.md?page=2)