John Harvard: the priest for whom the University is named

One of the most famous educational institutions in the United States – Harvard University - was named after the English preacher John Harvard. Harvard was born in 1607 in Southwark, which is now part of London. He studied at St. John's high school. The Saviour, then went to Cambridge University, where he was able to get an education thanks to the finances raised by his mother. The study ended in 1635, when Harvard received a master's degree in the Humanities. He soon became a clergyman and, after marrying, moved to New England.

Harvard settled in Charlestown and began preaching in the Church. In 1638, he was accepted as a member of the Committee that developed the legislative framework for the colony. After receiving a plot of land, he built his own house. That same year, Harvard contracted tuberculosis and died soon after.

A few years before Harvard's death, the legislature appropriated 400 pounds for the Foundation of the College. Since Harvard had no children and inherited a very large fortune after the death of his parents, he added another 780 pounds to the above amount. As a thank you for such a generous step, the new educational institution was named Harvard College. In 1884, a monument to John Harvard was unveiled.

There are some interesting facts about Harvard and Harvard University. Despite the allocated finances, John Harvard himself was not the founder of the University. Despite the fact that the inscription on the monument indicates 1638 as the date of Foundation, in fact, the correct date is 1636. As for the face on the monument, this is an invented and idealized image, since no reliable Harvard porters have been preserved.