The story of the steps taken in the creation of the statue of Daniel Webster, that resides at the cross-section of Central Park West and 72nd street in Central Park, is, perhaps, as interesting as the history of Daniel Webster himself.

During the mid-1800s, sculptor Thomas Ball created a bust of Daniel Webster. This bust went on to become one of the United States’ first mass-produced pieces of art, and was so widely appreciated that Ball subsequently made a statuette out of the famous bust. The Park Commissioners took notice of the fame surrounding the bust and statuette and commissioned Ball to create a grand sculpture of the bust and statuette for Central Park. The figure ended up being so large that it was placed at its current location rather than the Mall, for which it was originally intended.

Daniel Webster, the subject of the memorial, was a United States House Representative, a Senator for the state of Massachusetts, and, under President John Tyler, a United States Secretary of State. He is greatly admired for his efforts to hold the nation together during a time of general upheaval and conflict. Renowned and remembered for his excellent oratorical skills, Webster used them to great effect in his defense of the 1850 compromise measures that helped to delay the Civil War.

Webster's quote, “Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable” can be seen inscribed at the base of the statue.