The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Harvard, John

HARVARD, John, American clergyman, founder of Harvard University: b. England, probably in Middlesex, 1607; d. Charlestown, Mass., 24 Sept. 1638. He was entered as a pensioner at the University of Cambridge in 1628, was graduated B.A. in 1631-32, and M.A. in 1635, and having emigrated to America was made a freeman of the colony of Massachusetts, 2 Nov. 1637. The following year, as appears from the town records, a portion of land was set off for him in Charlestown, where he exercised the ministry. In April 1638, he was appointed one of a committee “to consider of some things tending toward a body of laws.” These are the only particulars known of his life. His property at his death was worth about £1,600, one-half of which he gave for the erection of the institution which bears his name; but part of this bequest, it is said, was diverted from its original purpose. He also left to the college a library of more than 300 volumes, indicating in their selection the taste and skill of a scholar. A monument to his memory was erected in the burial ground of Charlestown by the alumni of the university, and inaugurated with an address by Edward Everett, 26 Sept. 1828. See Harvard University.