Origins & Early Life

Augusta Savage (born Augusta Christine Fells; February 29, 1892 – March 27, 1962) was an American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance. She was also a teacher whose studio was important to the careers of a generation of artists who would become nationally known. She worked for equal rights for African Americans in the arts. Augusta Christine Fells was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on February 29, 1892, to Edward Fells and Cornelia Murphy.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Augusta began making figures as a child, mostly small animals out of the natural red clay of her hometown. Her father was a poor Methodist minister who strongly opposed his daughter's early interest in art. "My father kicked me four or five times a week," Savage once recalled, "and almost whipped all the art out of me." This was because he believed her sculpture to be a sinful practice, due to his interpretation of the "graven images" portion of the Bible. She persevered, and the principal of her new high school in West Palm Beach, where her family relocated in 1915, encouraged her talent and allowed her to teach a clay modeling class. This began a lifelong commitment to teaching, as well as to creating art.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akira Mutō — Contemporary (Born in 1892) (1892): Imperial Japanese Army General implicated in war crimes during WWII.
• Alfred Lunt — Contemporary (Born in 1892) (1892): Esteemed American actor, celebrated for his stage partnership with Lynn Fontanne.
• Arthur Compton — Contemporary (Born in 1892) (1892): Pioneering physicist known for the Compton effect and contributions to nuclear science.
• Adolf Eichmann — Contemporary (Died in 1962) (1962): Nazi SS officer and key organizer of the Holocaust's logistics.
• Aleksandr Dugin — Contemporary (Born in 1962) (1962): Leading theorist of Russian neo-Eurasianism, advocating for a geopolitical revision of Russia's role.
• Andrey Lavrov — Contemporary (Born in 1962) (1962): Three-time Olympic gold medalist and celebrated figure in Russian handball.
• Aileen Wuornos — Shared historical date (02-29 · Born) (1956): American serial killer known for murdering seven male clients in Florida.
• Bartholomew I of Constantinople — Shared historical date (02-29 · Born) (1940): Current Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, leading Eastern Orthodoxy.
• Alan Arkin — Shared historical date (03-26 · Born) (1934): Esteemed American actor, filmmaker, and musician with a seven-decade career.
• Alan Silvestri — Shared historical date (03-26 · Born) (1950): Award-winning composer renowned for epic film scores, especially for blockbuster franchises.
• 1892 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1892
• February 29 (02-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 29
• 1962 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1962
• March 26 (03-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 26