Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, established in 1636 by Massachusetts Bay Colony. Named after the college’s first benefactor, minister John Harvard, who upon his death in 1638 left his library and half of his considerable estate to the institution.
Funny Harvard story: Many dormitories in Harvard are named after presidents (Matthews House, Hollis House, etc.) but no dormitory was named after President Hoar (1672-74) for obvious reasons. So there was NO memorial for President Hoar. Eventually, Harvard desired a bronze likeness (for which there was no photo or painting) of its wealthy benefactor, John Harvard. In order to true up the deal, they used a descendant of President Hoar as a model for the likeness of John Harvard. And thus, an arms-length tribute does exist, in lieu of a Hoar House…
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- The likeness of Sherman Hoar, class of 1882, posing as John Harvard.
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- Veritas (truth), the Harvard motto. Per Oprah Winfrey, commencement speaker, “you will find true success and happiness if you have only one goal: to fulfill the highest most truthful expression of yourself as a human being.”
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- Clevah Hahvahd students, keeping the chairs dry.
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- Boston Public Library is the second largest library in the US, right behind the Library of Congress for number of items.
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- Bates Hall at Boston Public Library, 218 feet of quiet reading pleasure.
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- Massive twin marble lions flank the staircase at BPL.
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