Story Behind Boston’s Copley Square

Ever wonder who Copley Square was named after?

If you’ve passed through Boston’s Back Bay, chances are you’ve walked by Copley Square, the city’s iconic public space facing the Boston Public Library. But who exactly was Copley—and why does he have a square named after him?

John Singleton Copley was a Boston-born, self-trained artist in the 1700s who became famous for his incredibly detailed portraits. His lifelike paintings are so precise that historians use them today to study fabrics, furniture, and even social status in the 18th-century. His work rivaled the best artists in Europe.

In 1774, Copley left Boston for London to avoid the growing political tensions tied to his loyalist connections. In England, he gained more recognition and became a member of the Royal Academy of Arts. He never returned to Boston, yet his legacy endured. Today, many of his works are displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts.

Interestingly, Back Bay didn’t even exist during Copley’s lifetime—it was still marshland before the landfill project began in the 1850s. When the area was developed in the 19th century into one of Boston’s most elegant neighborhoods, the city chose to honor one of its most accomplished artists.

Standing in Copley Square, you’re in a place named after the artist who captured Boston right as history was about to change.  Experience and capture the sights from a creative perspective on PhotoWalks Back Bay Architectural Landmarks Tour.