Anna Willess Williams

Anna Willess Williams (August 15, 1857 – April 17, 1926) was an American teacher and philosophical writer, best known for serving as the model for the Lady Liberty portrait on the Morgan silver dollar, designed by George T. Morgan. Born in Philadelphia, she was an 18-year-old art student in 1876 when Morgan, seeking an American face to depict Liberty, selected her after being introduced through her father’s acquaintance, artist Thomas Eakins. Morgan praised her profile as “the most perfect” he had seen, noting her fair complexion, blue eyes, Grecian nose, and abundant golden hair. Williams reluctantly posed for five sessions in November 1876, agreeing only on the condition of anonymity. Despite this, her identity was revealed after the coin’s release in 1878, leading to unwanted fame, with thousands of letters and visitors overwhelming her.

Williams pursued a teaching career, initially at the House of Refuge, later becoming a principal, and in 1891, a teacher of kindergarten philosophy at the Girls’ Normal School in Philadelphia. She retired in 1924. Though once engaged, she never married and rarely spoke of her modeling experience, dismissing it as “an incident of my youth.” She passed away in Philadelphia in 1926 at age 68, following a stroke after a fall. Some debate persists about her role as the model, with a letter attributed to Morgan’s wife suggesting he created the design himself, but comparisons between Williams’ photograph and the coin’s profile strongly support her as the inspiration.