Lorado Zadok Taft was an American artist, educator, and innovative sculptor whose work helped shape the artistic landscape of the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on April 29, 1860, in the small town of Elmwood, Illinois, Taft went on to become one of America's most accomplished and influential sculptors, leaving his mark on cities, parks, universities, memorials, and public spaces throughout the Midwest and across the country.