William H Seward (1801–1872) was the U.S. Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of Alaska and survived a brutal assassination attempt on the same night Abraham Lincoln was shot.
In New York's Flatiron District, Seward is commemorated by a bronze statue in Madison Square Park—the first major Civil War-era monument erected in the city. Unveiled in September 1876, it remains a quiet landmark most visitors walk past without noticing.
The Seward statue stands in the southwest quadrant of Madison Square Park near Broadway and 23rd Street. Sculpted by Randolph Rogers and set on a pedestal designed by Richard Morris Hunt—the architect who would later design the base of the Statue of Liberty—the monument represents one of the most ambitious American sculpture projects of the 1870s.
| Full name | William Henry Seward |
| Born / Died | May 16, 1801 / October 10, 1872 |
| Profession | U.S. Secretary of State, Governor of New York, U.S. Senator, lawyer, and leading Republican anti-slavery voice |
| Active in Flatiron | c. 1850–1872 |
| Known for | Negotiating the Alaska Purchase, surviving assassination attempt on the night Lincoln was shot, leading anti-slavery advocate in the Republican Party |
| Key Flatiron location | Seward Statue, Madison Square Park, southwest quadrant near Broadway and 23rd Street, unveiled September 1876, still standing |
| Notable legacy | The first major Civil War-era monument in New York City, his seated bronze statue has watched over Madison Square Park for nearly 150 years. |
Who Was William?
William Henry Seward was born in 1801 in Florida, New York—a small Orange County village, not the southern state. He rose from modest origins to become one of the most powerful political figures of nineteenth-century America.
William H. Seward: A Career Built on Conviction
After graduating from Union College and passing the bar, Seward entered New York politics as an anti-slavery Whig. He served as Governor of New York from 1839 to 1842, then represented the state in the U.S. Senate from 1849 to 1861. His moral clarity on slavery made him a national figure—and a target.
In 1860, Seward was the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. He received 173.5 votes on the first ballot at the Chicago convention, compared to Abraham Lincoln’s 102. But Lincoln’s team outmaneuvered him, and by the third ballot, Seward had lost his shot at the presidency. Lincoln, recognizing Seward’s brilliance, appointed him Secretary of State.
The Night of April 14, 1865
On the same evening that John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre, Lewis Powell—a co-conspirator—forced his way into Seward’s home and stabbed him repeatedly in bed. Seward survived partly because a metal jaw splint from a prior carriage accident deflected a knife thrust aimed at his throat.
He continued serving as Secretary of State under Andrew Johnson until 1869, then spent his final years traveling the world before dying in Auburn, New York in 1872. Today, his seated bronze figure watches over Madison Square Park—a permanent presence in the neighborhood he once frequented.
William Henry Seward's Connection to the Flatiron District
William Seward’s presence in the Flatiron District is permanent, though most visitors never notice it. In the southwest corner of Madison Square Park—just steps from Broadway and 23rd Street—sits a bronze statue that has quietly observed New York for nearly 150 years.
The First Civil War Monument in New York City
Unveiled in September 1876, the Seward statue was the first major public monument in New York City to honor a figure from the Civil War era. It predates Grant’s Tomb by more than twenty years. The monuments of Madison Square Park tell the story of a city grappling with its wartime legacy, and Seward’s statue stands at the beginning of that tradition.
The statue depicts Seward seated in a chair, holding documents—a pose suggesting the diplomat and statesman rather than the political brawler. Sculpted by Randolph Rogers, the bronze was cast at the Royal Bavarian Foundry in Munich, Germany, then shipped across the Atlantic in one of the most ambitious American sculpture imports of the decade.
Richard Morris Hunt’s Early Masterwork
The granite pedestal was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, who would go on to design the base of the Statue of Liberty. For Hunt, the Seward monument was an early showcase of his monumental style—a test run for the work that would define his legacy. His influence on Flatiron District architecture extended well beyond this single commission.
The dedication ceremony drew thousands of New Yorkers. William M. Evarts, a prominent attorney and future Secretary of State himself, delivered the principal address.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel Connection
During his political career, Seward frequently stayed at the Fifth Avenue Hotel at 200 Fifth Avenue, on the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. Built in 1859, the hotel was the political nerve center of Gilded Age New York. Republican leaders gathered there to strategize, and Seward was among the most influential guests.
The original Fifth Avenue Hotel was demolished in 1908; a commercial building now occupies the site. Most passersby have no idea what once stood there. [VERIFY exact dates and frequency of Seward’s stays at the Fifth Avenue Hotel]
What Visitors Can Still See Today
The Seward statue remains in Madison Square Park, weathered but intact. Walk to the park’s southwest corner, near the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Look for the seated figure holding papers. That’s Seward—still keeping watch over a neighborhood shaped by the history of the Flatiron District.
Legacy and Impact
William Seward’s most famous achievement—the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million—was initially mocked as “Seward’s Folly.” Critics couldn’t imagine why the United States would pay 2 cents per acre for what they called an icebound wasteland. History vindicated Seward completely. Alaska became one of the greatest land acquisitions in American history, eventually yielding billions in natural resources.
In the Flatiron District, Seward’s legacy is quieter but no less durable. His statue in Madison Square Park represents something New Yorkers often forget: the city’s role in preserving the Union. During the Civil War, Madison Square was a gathering point for Union supporters. The hotels and clubs surrounding the park buzzed with political debate, and Seward—as Lincoln’s Secretary of State—was at the center of it all.
Today, the Seward statue is one of the oldest monuments in Madison Square Park. It predates the Admiral Farragut Monument (1881) and stands as a reminder that New York’s public spaces were once stages for national commemoration.
For visitors who take a moment to find it, the statue offers a direct connection to one of the most consequential figures of nineteenth-century America—sitting quietly in a park where most people are looking for Shake Shack.
William Seward bought Alaska for less than the price of a modern Manhattan studio apartment and survived a stabbing on the night Lincoln was shot. If you've ever dismissed a visionary idea too quickly, Seward's life is a reminder that history often sides with the bold.
Key Facts Worth Knowing
- 1867: Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million—approximately 2 cents per acre—making it one of the largest real estate deals in American history.
- 1860: Seward received 173.5 votes on the first ballot at the Republican presidential convention but lost the nomination to Abraham Lincoln by the third ballot.
- 1865: On April 14, Lewis Powell stabbed Seward multiple times in bed; a metal jaw splint from an earlier carriage accident deflected a knife thrust to his throat, saving his life.
- 1876: The Seward statue in Madison Square Park was the first major Civil War-era monument in New York City, predating Grant's Tomb by over twenty years.
- 1870–1871: Seward traveled more than 40,000 miles on a global tour, visiting Alaska, Mexico, Japan, China, India, and Egypt—making him one of the most well-traveled American statesmen of the nineteenth century.
FIND THEIR LEGACY TODAY
- Seward Statue, Madison Square Park (southwest quadrant near Broadway and 23rd Street) — The seated bronze figure depicts Seward holding documents. Look for the granite pedestal designed by Richard Morris Hunt.
- Site of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, 200 Fifth Avenue — The original 1859 hotel where Seward stayed during NYC visits was demolished in 1908. A commercial building now occupies the site. [VERIFY presence of commemorative plaque]
- Madison Square Park (bounded by Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, 23rd Street, and 26th Street) — The park was the civic heart of this neighborhood during the Civil War era. Seward's statue is one of its oldest monuments.
- Seward House Museum, 33 South Street, Auburn, NY — Seward's lifelong home, where he died in 1872. Now a National Historic Landmark open to the public.
Explore More of Flatiron's History
→ Madison Square Park Monuments: The Stories New Yorkers Walk Past Every Day — Seward's statue is one of the oldest monuments in the park—this guide covers its history alongside other overlooked memorials.
→ Madison Square Park NYC: What to See, Eat & Do (2025) — A comprehensive guide to the park where Seward's statue has stood since 1876.
→ Flatiron District History: NYC's Landmark Evolution — Seward's era coincided with the Flatiron District's transformation into a center of commerce and politics.
→ Flatiron District Walking Tour – Historic NYC Landmarks — The walking tour passes the Seward statue—one of the neighborhood's most overlooked historical markers.
→ Flatiron District Architecture Guide | Iconic NYC Landmarks — Richard Morris Hunt, who designed the Seward statue pedestal, influenced several Flatiron-area buildings.
In Plain English
William Henry Seward (1801–1872) was the U.S. Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln who negotiated the purchase of Alaska in 1867. He survived a brutal assassination attempt on the same night Lincoln was shot. In New York's Flatiron District, Seward is commemorated by a bronze statue in Madison Square Park—unveiled in 1876, it was the first major Civil War-era monument in New York City and still stands today near Broadway and 23rd Street.
Frequently Asked Questions About William Henry Seward
Q: Why is William Seward famous?
A: William Seward is most famous for negotiating the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million while serving as U.S. Secretary of State. Initially mocked as "Seward's Folly," the deal is now recognized as one of the greatest land acquisitions in American history. He also survived a brutal assassination attempt on the same night Abraham Lincoln was shot.
Q: What happened to William Seward on the night Lincoln was shot?
A: On April 14, 1865, Lewis Powell—a co-conspirator of John Wilkes Booth—broke into Seward's home and stabbed him multiple times in bed. Seward survived partly because a metal jaw splint from a prior carriage accident deflected a knife thrust aimed at his throat. He recovered and continued serving as Secretary of State until 1869.
Q: Why was Alaska called Seward's Folly?
A: Critics called the Alaska Purchase "Seward's Folly" because they believed the United States had paid $7.2 million for a frozen, worthless territory. At approximately 2 cents per acre, many considered it a waste of federal money. The nickname faded as Alaska proved rich in natural resources, including gold and oil.
Q: Where is the William Seward statue in New York City?
A: The William Seward statue stands in the southwest quadrant of Madison Square Park in Manhattan's Flatiron District, near the intersection of Broadway and 23rd Street. Unveiled in September 1876, it was the first major Civil War-era monument in New York City. The bronze statue depicts Seward seated, holding documents.
Q: Was William Seward an abolitionist?
A: William Seward was a leading anti-slavery voice in the Republican Party but differed from radical abolitionists in his approach. As Governor of New York and U.S. Senator, he consistently opposed the expansion of slavery and advocated for its eventual elimination. His moral clarity on the issue made him a national figure and a target for pro-slavery critics.