Henry Augustus Lukeman (January 28, 1872 – April 3, 1935) was an American sculptor, specializing in historical monuments. He was born inRichmond, Virginia,[1] and introduced to sculpting at age 10 at a boys' club miniature workshop. From 10 to 13 he worked with clay and wood. He then became a pupil of sculptor Launt Thompson [2] until age 16, followed by an apprenticeship at the foundry of Jno. Williams, Inc. until he was 19. Then for several years he studied terra cotta and architectural modeling for building and exterior decorations while in the evening studying life drawing and the antiques at the Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design in New York. His work was recognized by the Henry Street Settlement and he earned an honorary L.H.D. from Dickinson College.

When the construction began of the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, he superintended the enlarging of some of the most important works, includingDaniel Chester French's Statue of the Republic. Following that he went to Europe and worked under Jean-Alexandre-Joseph Falguiere in the Beaux Arts, in Paris.[3] When he returned to New York he became a pupil of friend and mentor Daniel Chester French before starting his own studio in New York.

Stone Mountain

His independent work began with portrait busts and statues, the National Sculpture Society Seal, bas-reliefs, ornamental sculptures and many monuments. Lukeman's most noted work was Stone Mountain in Atlanta, Georgia. He designed and worked on the sculptures of Stone Mountain, after removing Gutzon Borglum's work (who had originally been given the commission but resigned). When funding ran out in the advent of the Great Depression, he continued to pay the craftsmen until his own means fell short. The carving remained incomplete for decades until sculptor Walker Hancock and chief carver Roy Faulkner, using Lukeman’s models, completed the edited version (no legs on horses) in 1970 measuring 300 feet in length and 190 feet in height.

Lukeman died in New York on April 3, 1935, at age 65 leaving his wife, formerly, Helen Bidwell Blodgett.