Did you know Harvard University started under a different name? 6 surprising facts about its history and legacy

Harvard University, often seen as the pinnacle of higher education in the United States, carries a history that is both fascinating and frequently misunderstood. From its early colonial roots to the symbols that have become part of its lore, Harvard’s story is a mix of ambition, benefaction, and myth. While many are familiar with the prestige associated with Harvard, the details of its founding and traditions reveal surprising truths.

Harvard was founded on October 28, 1636, by a vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Originally called the 'New College', its mission was to train clergy for the colony. This makes Harvard the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, a distinction it retains nearly four centuries later.

Despite the common belief and the prominent statue in Harvard Yard, John Harvard was not the founder. The university was established by the colonial government, though Harvard’s contribution of half his estate and a personal library of more than 400 books helped the institution grow.

The famous statue in Harvard Yard is often called the “statue of three lies.” Its likeness is not John Harvard, since no images of him exist; sculptor Daniel Chester French used Sherman Hoar as the model. The statue incorrectly lists the founding year as 1638, and it claims Harvard as the founder, which is not true.

Harvard College serves undergraduate students, but the university comprises 14 schools, including graduate and professional programs. Each school maintains its own curriculum and traditions, contributing to Harvard’s broad academic and cultural influence.

Beyond the iconic Harvard Yard in Cambridge, the university has substantial campuses in Boston’s Longwood and Allston neighborhoods. These sites support research, graduate education, and professional programs, highlighting Harvard’s reach beyond the undergraduate experience.

At Harvard, students regularly rub the toe of the John Harvard statue before exams, hoping for a touch of luck. Small as it may seem, this practice has become a fixture of campus life, a living reminder of the university’s long history and the ways its stories continue to shape daily experience.

The famous statue in Harvard Yard is often called the “statue of three lies.” Its likeness is not John Harvard, since no images of him exist; sculptor Daniel Chester French used Sherman Hoar as the model. The statue incorrectly lists the founding year as 1638, and it claims Harvard as the founder, which is not true.