I had not gotten an opportunity to visit the sites with my group, but I was so excited by Beecher's biography that I decided to see his sculpture on my own.
Mostly I just ignore the sculptures that I see, because I am new in this country and I don't really know who that people are. But knowing this man's background information, I would say that he really talks to you when you look at it.
Beecher was an inspirational spiritual leader, and an outspoken and eloquent commentator on issues of the day, opposing slavery and supporting women’s suffrage, and through his sermons, lectures and writings attained broad influence on popular opinion. Among Beecher’s extensive writings were Seven Lectures to Young Men (1844) and Evolution and Religion (1885). For 20 years he was an editorial contributor to the publication known as the Independent, and was its editor from 1861 to 1863. Late in Beecher’s career, his reputation was tarnished by charges of adultery brought in 1874, but the charismatic preacher was acquitted of all charges in a civil suit in 1875.
Thank you for your interest! It does take effort on the part of the public to do this research if they want to learn about this statue. Frankly, most Brooklynites today don't know who Beecher was either. So the sculpture needs some kind of explanation to help people understand. Without that, it's easily misinterpreted!