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 &ldquo;to consider of some things tending toward a body of laws.&rdquo; 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 .