John Harvard (clergyman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Harvard
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The John Harvard statue, by Daniel Chester French (1884)
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| Born | 29 November 1607 (baptised) |
| Died | 14 September 1638 (aged 30) |
| Cause of death | Tuberculosis |
| Alma mater | Emmanuel College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Pastor |
| Known for | A founder of Harvard College |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Sadler |
| Children | None |
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John Harvard (1607–1638) was an English minister who lived in America during the colonial period. He is famous for giving a large gift of money and books to a new school. This school had been started two years earlier by the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Because of his generous gift, the school was named Harvard College. Today, Harvard University sees him as one of its most important founders. His contributions helped make sure the college would last. A statue honoring him stands in Harvard Yard.
Contents
John Harvard's Life Story
Early Life in England
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John Harvard was born in Southwark, England, which is now part of London. He was the fourth of nine children. His father, Robert Harvard, was a butcher and owned a tavern. His mother, Katherine Rogers, came from Stratford-upon-Avon.
John was baptized at St Saviour's Church, which is now Southwark Cathedral. He went to St Saviour's Grammar School. His father was involved with the school and the church. His grandparents' house in Stratford-upon-Avon, called 'Harvard House', still exists today.
In 1625, a terrible disease called the bubonic plague hit England. It sadly left only John, his brother Thomas, and their mother Katherine alive in their immediate family. Katherine remarried twice after this.
John inherited some money and property. This allowed him to attend the University of Cambridge. He started at Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1627. He earned his first degree in 1632 and a master's degree in 1635.
Marriage and Moving to America
In 1636 or 1637, John Harvard married Ann Sadler. She was from Patcham, England.
Around the spring or summer of 1637, John and Ann moved to New England. John became a freeman of Massachusetts. This meant he had certain rights as a citizen. They settled in Charlestown. There, John became a teaching elder and assistant preacher at the First Church.
In 1638, John received a piece of land in Charlestown. He also joined a committee to help create laws for the colony. His house was on Country Road, which is now Main Street.
How Harvard College Was Founded
Two years before John Harvard died, the government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony decided to start a school. They wanted to "advance learning" and make sure there would always be educated ministers for their churches. They set aside £400 for this "schoale or colledge" in a place called Newtowne.
John Harvard had inherited a lot of money from his family. He had no children of his own. In his will, he gave £780 to the new school. This was half of his money. This amount was almost equal to the colony's yearly tax income!
Even more importantly, he also gave his entire library to the school. This library had about 329 different book titles, totaling 400 volumes.
Because of his generous gift, the colony decided to name the school after him. They ordered that the "Colledge" be called Harvard Colledge. Newtowne itself was also renamed Cambridge, after the famous English university.
John Harvard's Death
On September 14, 1638, John Harvard died from tuberculosis. He was buried in Charlestown's Phipps Street Burying Ground. His original gravestone was lost during the American Revolutionary War.
In 1828, people who had studied at Harvard University built a new granite monument for him. John Harvard's wife, Ann, later married Thomas Allen. He took over John's role as a teacher at the Charlestown church.
John Harvard's Legacy
The "Founder" Story
Some people argue that John Harvard shouldn't be called the founder of Harvard College. They say this because the colony voted to start the school two years before he gave his gift.
However, the founding of Harvard College was a process, not just one event. Many people helped make it happen. John Harvard is considered a founder because his gift was very timely and very generous. It came at the very beginning of the college's life. His contribution helped make sure the college would last.
The government recognized this by naming the college after him. This happened even before the first president started work or the first students graduated. So, John Harvard is rightly honored as a key founder.
Memorials and Tributes
A statue honoring John Harvard stands in Harvard Yard. It is not a true picture of him, as no one knows what he looked like. This statue was even featured on a United States postage stamp in 1986. A picture of him also appears in a stained-glass window at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
The John Harvard Library in London is named after him. The Harvard Bridge, which connects Boston to Cambridge, is also named in his honor.
Inside Southwark Cathedral in London, there is a special Harvard Chapel. It was rebuilt with donations from Harvard graduates and dedicated in 1907. The beautiful stained-glass window in the chapel was designed by American artist John La Farge.
See also
In Spanish: John Harvard para niños
