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JEFFERSON CITY - Dred Scott, a black man who helped anti-slavery efforts, was honored with an induction into the Hall of Famous Missourians at the State Capitol on Wednesday.

The unveiling ceremony took place at noon in the main House Chamber. Dozens of people joined in the ceremony, including Scott's great-great granddaughter, Lynne Jackson, and her family.

"Dred Scott is an American hero. His active fight for freedom not only changed the history of state, but also the whole nation." Jackson said.

The sculptor, E. Spencer Schubert, said it's a great honor for him to build the statue for Scott. "I did a large amount of research about him. And I'm really trying to capture the dynaminism and the liberation that's in the story of eye contact from Dred Scott," Schubert said.

Dred Scott is best known for an 1837 case, in which he sued for he and his family's freedom. The famous "the Dred Scott Decision" inspired Abraham Lincoln to run for president. The House speaker Steven Tilley said, "He challenged the rights of African Americans to be free, he failed, but he persisted. I think that played partially into the Civil War, which resulted in the freedom of African Americans."

The bronze bust of Scott then went to the building's third floor for permanent display.

Since the first statue of Mark Twain was unveiled in 1982, Dred Scott is the 40th person to join the Hall of Famous Missourians.

The hall has been the subject of controversy since House Speaker Steven Tilley announced he would add radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh to the hall. Tilley refused to talk about the Limbaugh induction Wednesday.