Welcome to our collection of insightful quotes by Frederick Law Olmsted, a pioneering landscape architect whose work has left an indelible mark on the urban fabric of America. Often regarded as the father of American landscape architecture, Olmsted’s designs are celebrated for seamlessly blending nature and human interaction, creating spaces that are not only visually captivating but also deeply functional and conducive to community engagement.
Born in 1822, Olmsted’s illustrious career spanned decades, during which he designed some of the most iconic public spaces in the United States, including Central Park in New York City, the Emerald Necklace in Boston, and the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. His philosophy emphasized the importance of public access to green spaces for the betterment of society, believing that well-designed parks could foster social harmony and mental well-being.
Below, you’ll find a selection of Frederick Law Olmsted’s most profound and thought-provoking quotes, offering insights into his philosophy on landscape architecture, urban planning, and the relationship between people and their environment. Feel free to explore these quotes, whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own projects, contemplating the role of nature in urban life, or simply appreciating Olmsted’s timeless wisdom.
With regard to the moral and religious condition of the slaves, I cannot, either from what I observe, or from what is told me, consider it in any way gratifying. Frederick Law Olmsted
The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth. Frederick Law Olmsted
This is just what I have thought when I have seen slaves at work – they seem to go through the motions of labor without putting strength into them. They keep their powers in reserve for their own use at night, perhaps. Frederick Law Olmsted
