John Harvard

1607–1638

John Harvard
John Harvard was born and raised in England, near the south bank of the Thames. The fourth of nine children, he attended St Saviour’s Grammar School, where his father was a governor. Tragedy struck the family in 1625, when his father, a stepsister, and two brothers were killed by the plague. His mother remarried twice; first to John Elletson, who died soon after their marriage, and then to Richard Yearwood. Meanwhile, John entered Emmanuel College in Cambridge and emerged with his B.A. in 1632.

Harvard’s mother died in 1635, and within the next two years John had married Ann Sadler and immigrated with her to New England, where they settled in Charlestown. Once there, he was made minister of the Church, but he only remained in that post for one year before contracting tuberculosis and passing away quietly. Because he had no children, he bequeathed half of his estate to a new college that had been built in 1636—a college that, after John’s death, would be renamed “Harvard” in memory of his great donation.


Key events during the life of John Harvard:


Year
Event
1607
Born.
1625
Father, sister, and two brothers died of the plague.
1626
Mother married John Elletson; he died only a few months later.
1627
Mother married Richard Yearwood.
  Entered Emmanuel College in Cambridge.
1632
Received his B.A.
1635
Mother died.
1636
Married Ann Sadler.
1637
Immigrated with his wife to New England, where he was made minister of the Church.
1638
Died after contracting tuberculosis.
1639
New College is renamed Harvard College in his honor.

Other Resources


Story Links
Book Links
Founding of Harvard  in  This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall


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