Erected in 1898 by the Hayne Circle, a literary society, in honor of one of Augusta’s famous citizens and statesmen who was also a lawyer and poet. His most famous verse was “My life is like a summer rose.” Richard Henry Wilde (1789-1847) was born in Dublin and died in New Orleans. His home still stands on Pickens Road in the Summerville neighborhood. Made by C. F. Kohlruss of Augusta, it was originally located in the Greene Street median on the east side of Thirteenth Street, it was moved to this location when the John C. Calhoun Expressway was constructed.