Harvard History

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

A man with a long beard and formal attire stands next to a chalkboard with an equation.

They Might Be (Harvard) Giants

Two tales of University greats—and an encounter with a Tiger

Seamus Heaney

The choral version of Seamus Heaney's anniversary poem debuts at Commencement

Seamus Heaney's 1986 Harvard poem, set to music

Cartoonist KAL (Kevin Patrick Kallaugher '77) draws special Commencement cartoon

A Commencement cartoon by KAL

Left to right: Latin Salutatory orator Michael Velchik; Graduate English orator Jonathan Service; R.J. Tarrant, Pope professor of Latin; Senior English orator Anthony Hernandez; and University Marshal Jackie O'Neill

How Harvard's student Commencement speakers are chosen and coached

The history of student Commencement speakers at Harvard

Wet chairs in Harvard Yard Tuesday morning. Rain is forecast for Tuesday, thunderstorms for Wednesday, and sun on Thursday.

Harvard Commencement week 2012: events for Tuesday, May 22

Phi Beta Kappa exercises; Baccalaureate address

Richard Beaudoin

Richard Beaudoin's choral arrangement of Seamus Heaney's poem for Harvard 350th

Seamus Heaney's 1986 Harvard poem, set to music

by Spencer Lee Lenfield

Headlines from Harvard history, July-August 1932-1997

Headlines from Harvard history

Jonathan L. Walton

Jonathan Walton named Memorial Church minister, succeeding Peter Gomes

Harvard Divinity School professor succeeds the late Peter Gomes.

Drew Faust, Helen Horowitz, and Radcliffe Institute Dean Lizabeth Cohen

Helen Horowitz lectures on 375 years of women at Harvard

Harvard’s history of educating women

by Madeleine Schwartz

From left: Maya Jasanoff, Parimal Patil, Matthew Nock, Claudine Gay, and Robert Wood

Harvard faculty discuss the future of the academe

Faculty members predict what a Harvard education will look like in 2036.

Headlines from Harvard history, May-June 1917-1982

Headlines from Harvard history