Harvard University Archives : Information about Harvard Presidents

Harvard Presidents: duties, rights, and ceremony

2006 2004 1905 1856 1847 1655 1650

2006

"Governing Harvard" from Harvard Magazine (May-June 2006)

2004

(From the University Statutes)

It is the duty of the President of the University to call meetings of the Corporation, and preside at the same; to act as the ordinary medium of communication between the Corporation and the Overseers, and between the Corporation and the Faculties; to make an annual report to the Overseers on the general condition of the University; to preside on public academic days; to preside over the several Faculties; to direct the official correspondence of the University; to acquaint himself with the state, interests, and wants of the whole institution; and to exercise a general superintendence over all its concerns. For the better discharge of these duties, he must live in Cambridge.

Read the Statutes in the HSPH Faculty Handbook

1905

(From the Annual Report )

"It was also believed that with the rapid growth of the University the duties of the President had become too burdensome...."
Go to this page online
Search the Annual Reports

1856

Report on the Rights and Duties of the President and Fellows...
Published: Cambridge, Mass : Metcalf, 1856.
Hard copy in the Harvard University Archives (HUC 9856.4 and HUA 856.75)
Read the report online
Find it in HOLLIS

1847

President Everett on the duties of the President
"They are so miscellaneous in their nature that I fear I shall not succeed in giving you a just idea of them."
See the complete transcript

1655

The Lawes of Harvard Colledge
"They shall honour as theire naturall Parents ...The President, Tutors, fellows and all superiors..."
Read the 1655 Laws (Google Books, partial text)

1650

Harvard Chartered as a Corporation
"... said College, in Cambridge ...shall be a Corporation, consisting of ... a President....
Read the Charter

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Useful Links

Read about past Inauguration Ceremonies
(Appeared in the Harvard University Gazette, October 11, 2001)

Search the Presidents' Annual Reports

Read Harvard's Founding Documents
(Colonial and Massachusetts laws for Harvard, 1648-1819)

Print a Selected Bibliography of Harvard History

Browse the Online Historical Reference Shelf