Harvard History
Stories that explore the institution’s rich history, from archival moments to evolving traditions.
The Year a Beat Poet Squatted at Harvard
In 1954, Gregory Corso moved into Eliot House. How he stayed there is a literary legend.
A Harvard President’s VW Beetle That Kept On Giving
Derek Bok donated his car for a good cause.
Technology Can Reshape History
But human networks will always retain their power.
Cambridge Once Fought Harvard’s DNA Research. Now There’s a Play About It.
A theatrical reenactment explores a 1976 clash between science and democracy.
Which Harvard Architecture Stands the Test of Time?
In a sea of red brick, the Science Center and Peabody Terrace make their mark.
by Primus VI
The Harvard Doctor Who Made Kidney Transplants Possible
Nobel Prize recipient Joseph E. Murray dedicated much of his career to organ transplant surgery.
The Year Harvard Scrapped Maid Service
Until the 1950s, professionals cleaned up after students in the dorms.
Harvard Releases Database of 1,613 People Enslaved by University Affiliates
Research continues to track down living descendants.
250 Years and Counting
Harvard’s ties to the Revolution ran deep.
250 Years Ago, Harvard Was Home to a Revolution
A look at the sights, sounds, and characters that put the University on the frontlines of history
The Harvard-Trained Doctor Who Urged a Revolution
Before his heroic death, General Joseph Warren was dubbed “the greatest incendiary in all of America.”