The College Pump

A man holding a revolver and lantern, wearing a hat and coat, appears to be walking cautiously.

Scoundrels, Then and Now

On con men, Mark Twain, and the powers of the Harvard name

by Primus VI

Robert Kiely escorts Tennessee Williams at Commencement in 1982.

Tennessee Williams meets Mother Teresa, and Gore Vidal on Harvard

Tennessee Williams, Mother Teresa…and Gore Vidal

The Pennoyer schoolhouse bell, from Pulham St. Mary in England, now at Leverett House

Harvard’s Pennoyer bell, Allan R. Robinson, and "Illegitimum non carborundum"

Of the Pennoyer bell, and Harvard Bandsman Allan R. Robinson, Latin librettist

Marden in New Zealand on his way from the farm to Wellington to try to leave for America, 1942

How Bill Marden got into Harvard and fulfilled the language requirement

How Bill Marden got into Harvard and fulfilled the language requirement.

Mark Saltveit displays for the first (and last?) time the World Palindrome Championship trophy.

Palindromist Mark Saltveit, Yo-Yo Ma on Leon Kirchner, and a sleuthing architect

A World Palindrome Champion, a sleuthing architect, and Yo-Yo Ma on Leon Kirchner

A replica of what may be the earliest known version of the American flag to include stars

Rare 1776 U.S. flag displayed; Motif No. 1 celebrated in new book

A star-spangled Colonial find and a book honoring Motif No. 1

Kahlil Gibran's likeness of Harvard president Charles William Eliot, drawn in 1910

Kahlil Gibran draws Harvard's Charles William Eliot, plus Arnoldia's centennial

The prophet (Gibran) and the president (Eliot), plus Arnoldia turns 100.

Peter Sellars

Peter Sellars at Adams House, and an Upstairs at the Pudding restaurant girlhood

An Upstairs at the Pudding girlhood, and undergraduate impresario Peter Sellars at Adams House

One of the earliest American football posters, done for <i>Harper’s</i> in 1894 by Edward Penfield. This example, in B+ condition, sold at a Swann Galleries auction August 3 in New York City for $1,320, including buyer’s premium. In 1894 Yale beat Harvard 12-4.

Robert Kiely on gay rights at Adams House, plus the Harvard M.B.A. Indicator

Robert J. Kiely on gay rights at Adams House, plus the Harvard M.B.A. Indicator

Reunion reflections by David Souter, and a tribute to Carroll Wood

Reunion reflections from David Souter, and a tribute to Carroll Wood

The U.S. Postal Service on June 16 issued a first-class stamp honoring botanist Asa Gray. A natural history professor, Gray also founded the Harvard Summer School 140 years ago. The stamp shows plants that he studied as well as the words <i>Shortia galacifolia</i> in his own hand. The story of his epic quest for that plant is told at http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/838.pdf.

The Harvard Guerrilla Unit, and more on varsity sports ties

Undercover training during World War II, and more on varsity ties