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'''Columbia''' was a female figure who was common representation in art of the United States in the 19th century. The term derived of course from [[Christopher Columbus]]. It was introduced by black poet [[Phillis Wheatley]] (1753-1784) in her 1776 poem. It was based heavily on classical Roman sources, which she used in translation, and as befits a model of [[Republicanism]], Columbia is garbed in Roman dress. Many places were named after her, such as the [[District of Columbia]], [[Columbia University]], and the Colombia River.<Ref>British Columbia, part of Canada, is named after the river.</ref>
'''Columbia''' was a female figure who was common representation in art of the United States in the 19th century. The term derived of course from [[Christopher Columbus]]. It was introduced by black poet [[Phillis Wheatley]] (1753-1784) in her 1776 poem, "To His Excellency George Washington".<ref> Previous poems by others had used the term in the 1760s, but they were forgiotten.</ref> Washington was impressed and asked to meet Wheatley. the term caught public fancy and many places were named after her, such as the [[District of Columbia]], [[Columbia University]], and the Colombia River.<Ref>British Columbia, part of Canada, is named after the river.</ref>
Wheatley's poem was based heavily on classical Roman sources, which she used in translation, and as befits a model of [[Republicanism]], Columbia is garbed in Roman dress.<ref>Thomas J. Steele, "The Figure of Columbia: Phillis Wheatley plus George Washington," ''New England Quarterly,'' Vol. 54, No. 2 (Jun., 1981), pp. 264-266 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/364975 in JSTOR]</ref>
As an iconic image of America, Columbia was commonly used in World War I, but she was displaced by the [[Statue of Liberty]] in the 1920s, and is today seldom seen, save in heritage uses like the logo for Colombia films.
As an iconic image of America, Columbia was commonly used in World War I, but she was displaced by the [[Statue of Liberty]] in the 1920s, and is today seldom seen, save in heritage uses like the logo for Colombia films.