Harvard History

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

Cover of "Harvard's Best" featuring a woman in a red and black gown holding a sword.

A Forgotten Harvard Anthem

Published the year the Titanic sank, “Harvard’s Best” is a quizzical ode to the University.

A new history of Design Research, written by Jane Thompson

A new history of Design Research remembers how the store brought modern design to Harvard Square and the United States.

The undated silhouette above is the only known portrait of Lowell.

Brief life of American textile industry entrepreneur Francis Cabot Lowell

Brief life of an American entrepreneur: 1775-1817

by Dan Yaeger

Headlines from Harvard history

Headlines from Harvard history

A signpost outside a gray wall at Pavlodar State University, in northern Kazakhstan, points the way to the red brick of Harvard and the gleaming spires of Oxford and Cambridge. Daniel Gutterman, LL.B. ’55, of New York City, took the photograph this spring when he taught business transactions and law at Innovative University of Eurasia, also in Pavlodar.

David Halberstam commemorated, Harry Levin as actor

Recollections of David Halberstam and Harry Levin

The Jasanoff family, clockwise from left: Sheila, Maya, Jay, Alan, and Alan's wife, Luba (holding daughter Nina)

It Runs in the Family: Three Jasanoff Professors at Harvard

All four members of the Jasanoff family—Jay, Sheila, Maya, and Alan—graduated from Harvard, and now three are professors here.

William James

William James symposium in Cambridge and New Hampshire

An unusual symposium at Harvard and at James's summer residence this August will remember the life of the psychologist-philosopher.

Alexandra Petri

2010 Commencement humor

The lighter side of Harvard's Commencement

Onora S. O’Neill

Harvard's 2010 honorary degree recipients

The honorary degree recipients

John P. "Jack" Reardon

Commencement confetti

Notes and statistics, vital and otherwise

Headlines from Harvard history

Headlines from Harvard history