Olin Levi Warner

Olin Levi Warner (April 9, 1844 – August 14, 1896) was an American sculptor and artist noted for the striking bas relief portrait medallions and busts he created in the late 19th century.

Life

Warner was born in Suffield, Connecticut. Warner's great-great-uncle was the Revolutionary leader Seth Warner. As a young man he worked as an artisan and a telegraph operator. In 1869 he had saved up enough money to move to Paris, where he studied sculpture at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts under François Jouffroy, and worked as an assistant to Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux.

When the French Third Republic was proclaimed in 1870, he enlisted in the Foreign Legion, resuming his studies when the siege was over (May 1871). In 1872, he removed to New York and established a studio. He was one of the founders and a member of the Society of American Artists in 1877, and an associate of the National Academy of Design in 1888.

A trip through the Northwest Territory led to a series of Indian-themed portrait medallions. He designed the souvenir half dollar for the Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893.

Levi Warner

Levi Warner (October 10, 1831 – April 12, 1911) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th congressional district from 1876 to 1879.

Early life and family

His brother was Samuel Larkin Warner who was also a United States Representative from Connecticut. He was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut where he completed preparatory studies. Later, he attended the law department of Yale College and Dane Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was admitted to the bar in 1859 and commenced practice in Fairfield County, Connecticut before moving to Norwalk, Connecticut in 1858 and continuing the practice of law.

Political career

Warner was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William H. Barnum. He was reelected to the Forty-fifth Congress and served from December 4, 1876, to March 3, 1879. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1878. After leaving Congress, he resumed the practice of law. He died in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1911 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery.