What Happened on September 14th – Harvard

On September 14, 1638, John Harvard, a 31-year-old clergyman from Charlestown, Massachusetts died, leaving his library and half of his estate to a local college. The young minister’s bequest allowed the college to firmly establish itself. In honor of its first benefactor, the school adopted the name Harvard College.

John Harvard

Founded by the General Court of Massachusetts in 1636, Harvard is America’s oldest institution of higher learning. From a college of nine students and one instructor, it has grown into a world-renowned university with over 18,000 degree candidates and 2,000 faculty members, including numerous Nobel laureates. Situated a few miles west of Boston on the Charles River in Cambridge, Harvard’s main campus is one of the country’s most scenic. With an endowment of $11 billion, the university is the country’s wealthiest.

USA, Massachusetts, Boston. Rowers on Charles River with Harvard University Campus behind.

Annenberg Hall

There have been many famous alumni over Harvard’s many years.  To see this distinctive list, click here: Harvard famous alumni.