Isaac Scott Hathaway was a pioneering sculptor remembered as the first African-American to design a United States Mint Coin.

Isaac Scott Hathaway was a pioneering sculptor remembered as the first African-American to design a United States Mint Coin.

Isaac Scott Hathaway was a pioneering sculptor remembered as the first African-American to design a United States Mint Coin. He designed two coins for the United States of America during his lifetime. The first was a commemorative 50 cent piece that featured the educator and author Booker T. Washington.

Isaac Scott Hathaway (1872-1967) was a renowned African American sculptor, artist, and educator.

• Early life:
  Hathaway was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in a family of modest means. He developed an interest in art at an early age.
• Education: Hathaway attended the Rhode Island School of Design and later studied sculpture in Paris.
• Career:
  He taught art at several institutions, including Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute, where he worked alongside Booker T. Washington.
• Sculpture work:
  Hathaway created numerous sculptures, including busts of notable African Americans like Frederick Douglass and George Washington Carver.
• Coin design:
  In 1946, Hathaway designed the Booker T. Washington commemorative half-dollar coin, making him the first African American to design a US Mint coin. He also designed the George Washington Carver-Booker T. Washington half-dollar coin in 1951.
• Legacy:
  Hathaway’s contributions to art, education, and numismatics have been recognized through various awards and exhibitions.

🔵Some interesting facts about Hathaway:

• He was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and supported the Civil Rights Movement.
• Hathaway’s art often explored themes of African American culture, history, and identity.
• He wrote articles and books on art, education, and African American culture.
• Hathaway’s legacy extends beyond his art; he paved the way for future generations of African American artists and designers.

Isaac Scott Hathaway’s remarkable achievements and contributions to art, education, and numismatics continue to inspire and influence people today.