Harvard History

Stories that explore the institution’s rich history, from archival moments to evolving traditions.

Caricature of a young man in front of red doors, wearing a green striped sweater.

The Year a Beat Poet Squatted at Harvard

In 1954, Gregory Corso moved into Eliot House. How he stayed there is a literary legend.

by Constantine Archimedes Valhouli

Solomon Gate in an open position.

An innovative gate for Harvard Yard

At Houghton and Lamont libraries, a creative new entry into the Yard

by Jacob Sweet

Mark Steele illustration of Lowell House’s bells being rung for the first time by a giant hand stretching from a cloud to swing the detached belfry.

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history

A man runs around the perimeter of Harvard Stadium

Harvard’s popular runners’s loop

A legendary route’s disputed distance

by Jacob Sweet

Photograph of architect H.H. Richardson’s house

The College Pump

Classy masks, dapper archaeologist, saving H.H. Richardson’s house

by Primus VI

A drawing showing a large crossbar being hauled into place between two tall smokestacks to make a giant "H" for "Harvard"

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Formal portrait of the Board of Editors for volume 70 of the “Harvard Law Review” (1956-1957), photographed on the steps of Austin Hall. The author, only the third woman admitted to Review membership, stands in the fourth row, at upper left.

The third woman to make the “Harvard Law Review” looks back

An alumna looks back.

by Nancy Boxley Tepper

Photograph of Rob Gogan, retired recycling director and acute observer of nature on campus

Harvard’s naturalist, acronym guide, distracted professor at work

The campus’s Mr. Green, accessing acronyms, mathematician at work, and a distracted astronomer

by Primus VI

An historic photograph from Radcliffe’s Schlesinger Library archives shows the 1936 exhibition on women scientists—in this case, folders of their published scholarship.

Radcliffe’s 1936 exhibit celebrating women in university life

“Women in Science” on display

by Alona Bach

Historic photograph of Charles Follen Cabot, Civil War soldier, standing, in uniform

Civil War image, Empire State homage, and more

A Civil War image and an Empire State Building homage

by Primus VI

In Harvard Yard, workers unload gigantic heads of lettuce and other greens from a truck prominently labeled United Farm Workers as students celebrate the University's decision to support the union workers by buying only UFW-certified produce.

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history