William Hayden English Statue

William Hayden English (1822–1896) was one of Indiana's most prominent 19th-century political figures — a congressman, banker, historian, and Democratic vice-presidential nominee who played significant roles in some of the most contentious political debates of the antebellum era. Born in Scott County, Indiana, English was educated as a lawyer and entered politics early, serving in the Indiana state legislature before winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1853 to 1861.

English is most historically significant for his authorship of the English Bill of 1858, which attempted to resolve the crisis over Kansas statehood during the explosive debate over slavery's expansion into the territories. The bill offered Kansas a large federal land grant if it accepted the Lecompton Constitution (a pro-slavery document rejected by Kansas's anti-slavery majority). Kansas voters rejected the offer and continued to reject the Lecompton Constitution — a major defeat for the Buchanan administration and a significant episode in the escalating sectional crisis that culminated in the Civil War. English's role in this episode placed him at the center of national political history.

After leaving Congress, English became a successful Indianapolis banker and real estate developer and wrote an important two-volume history of early Indiana. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 1880, on the ticket with Winfield Hancock — a ticket that lost narrowly to James Garfield and Chester Arthur. English Hotel, one of the grandest hotels in 19th-century Indianapolis, bore his name and served as a cultural center for the city for decades. The William Hayden English Statue honors his contributions to Indiana's political and cultural development during a pivotal era in American history.