One of the main things that drew me to Clemson University as a freshman was the beauty of its campus. Now as I get ready to graduate, I've come to appreciate the things that really make Clemson so distinctive.
Not only was Abe Wolfe Davidson a famous sculptor, he was also a fellow Clemson student who contributed to the uniqueness of our school. I take pride in the fact that his sculptures are part of what makes Clemson so special.

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While Davidson’s remarkable sculptures can be seen throughout the Clemson campus, including busts of J.C. Littlejohn and James F. Byrnes, his talent is displayed throughout the state and across the country. Elsewhere in South Carolina, Davidson’s sculptures include governors, senators, university presidents and other famous citizens. From the East Coast to the West Coast, Davidson’s work can be seen in numerous museums and art centers, including a bust of Albert Einstein in Berkeley, Calif.

Thanks to Special Collections, Clemson University Libraries, for archives and art.

Outside Clemson's newly renovated Littlejohn Coliseum stands one of the University's most famous "residents" -- the Littlejohn Tiger. It has quietly watched over more than three decades of Clemson students.

But the Littlejohn Tiger has its own story to tell.

Its story, however, starts back at the even better known bronze sculpture of Thomas Green Clemson in front of Tillman Hall. And the story of both Clemson landmarks goes all the way to Vitebsk, Russia, over 100 years ago.

There, in 1903, was born A. Wolfe "Abe" Davidson, destined to be one of Clemson's most unusual students.

While four of his brothers immigrated to the United States prior to 1914, young Abe and his parents remained in Russia. An early interest in art sent him to the Russian National Art School in Vitebsk where he studied after the Russian Revolution. In 1922, a brother succeeded in having him and his mother smuggled from Russia to Latvia.

Later that year, Davidson immigrated to Greenville, S.C., at the age of 19. He continued his study of art, sculpture in particular, while being tutored in the English language. He spent two years in New York City widening his artistic knowledge through close observance of work in museums and galleries. Stricken with a serious illness in 1928 due to the aftereffects of the famine in Russia, Davidson was an invalid for the next six years. Despite the debilitating illness, he was determined to continue sculpting.
In 1934, Davidson was admitted to Clemson College under very interesting circumstances. Through special arrangements with President Enoch Sikes and J.C. Littlejohn, the College's business manager, Davidson was given a studio and materials to construct a statue of Thomas Green Clemson. This cast cement statue would serve as payment for his room, board and tuition. Little did he know his creation would become one of the University's most prized landmarks.

Davidson worked at Clemson for two years and in that time sculpted the cast-stone football panel at Fike Recreation Center and made a portrait bust of President Sikes.

In addition, Davidson was called upon to design the commemorative half dollar for the 1936 Sesquicentennial Celebration of the state Capitol in Columbia. He also produced sculptures of many prominent South Carolinians and Georgians.

Davidson was a pioneer in establishing Greenville's art association and art gallery, which is now the Greenville County Museum of Art. He also taught part-time at Greenville High School from 1936 to 1943. The outbreak of war in 1943 sent him to Marietta, Ga., where he was coordinator of experimental engineering at Bell Aircraft. He returned to teaching in 1948 and became director of the art department at Brenau College in Gainesville, Ga., a position he held until his retirement.

In 1966, Davidson was called back home to Clemson. With funding from Blue Key, he prepared a new plaster model of the Thomas Green Clemson statue for the bronze casting now on campus. "The present statue is a realization of a 30-year dream," stated Davidson.

A few years later, after the construction of Clemson's new basketball arena, the Littlejohn Coliseum, the University called on the artist again. This time, Tiger Brotherhood commissioned Davidson to create another work of art for the west side of campus. Using aluminum, Davidson sculpted the now famous Littlejohn Tiger, a symbol of strength and beauty that was unveiled at the dedication of the new Littlejohn Coliseum in 1969.

Davidson passed away in 1981 at the age of 78 in Gainesville, Ga., and was buried in Greenville.

What started out as payment for Davidson's college education has turned into one of Clemson's most prominent landmarks. The Clemson statue, sometimes affectionately called "Old Green Tom," is a focal point of the Clemson campus.

The Littlejohn Tiger has become a Clemson icon, as well, and perhaps a symbol of one of Clemson's most extraordinary students. With its fascinating tale of Abe Wolfe Davidson and all his endeavors, the Tiger will continue to stand proudly outside Littlejohn Coliseum for many more decades and students to come.