Harvard University Archives :: Resources :: Bibliography of Published Sources Relating to Harvard History


BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH GUIDE

Getting Started Online Resources Reading Room Resources Other Archives and Special Collections at Harvard Resources Beyond Harvard GETTING STARTED Use this guide to begin your biographical research on Harvard students, alumni, staff, faculty, and administrators. The resources in this guide provide information on individuals affiliated with Harvard from the first graduating class in 1642 to the present. These resources cover varying dates and some types of material may not exist for the time period in which you are interested. Please note that the Archives reference staff is unable to provide biographical research services. You are welcome to visit the Archives or to hire a local researcher to conduct research on site. This guide is a work in progress. Your suggestions for updates are welcome. Please use the contact form to submit your questions and comments. ONLINE RESOURCES Catalogues and Directories Quinquennial Catalogue of the Officers and Graduates, 1636-1930 / Harvard University. Cambridge: The University, 1930. This is the first place to check for information about Harvard degree recipients from 1642 to 1930. Provides degree information about Harvard alumni, also includes names and dates of service for Harvard faculty and administrators, 1642 to 1930. Notices of the triennial and annual catalogues of Harvard University: with a reprint of the catalogues of 1674, 1682 and 1700 / by John L. Sibley. Tentative list of temporary students, 1639-1800 / Harvard University. Cambridge: The University, 1930. In Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Volume XVII, pages 271-285. Catalog of the officers and students of the University in Cambridge, 1819-1866 / Cambridge [Mass.]:University Press, Hilliard and Metcalf. Lists include home towns and University addresses. Biographical Sketches Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by John Langdon Sibley. Cambridge, [Mass.]: Charles William Sever, University Bookstore, 1873- Volume I (Harvard College Classes of 1642-1658) and Volume II (Harvard College Classes of 1659-1677) Volume III (Harvard College Classes of 1678-1689) NOTE: Print copies of volumes I - XVIII (Classes of 1642 - 1774) are available in the Archives reading room, at local libraries, and at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Memorial of Graduates of Harvard [1642-1647] / by John Farmer In Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, Volume IV. Begins on page 39. Harvard Memorial Biographies / Cambridge: Sever and Francis, 1866. 2 vols Biographical accounts of Harvard students and alumni who died for the Union cause in the Civil War. Harvard's military record in the World War, edited by Frederick S. Mead. Boston: Harvard Alumni Association, 1921. Contains the World War I service records of 11,319 Harvard students and alumni, compiled from reports sent by servicemen and their families to the Harvard War Records Office. Includes "Harvard's Part in Preparing for the World War" by Langdon P. Marvin, and the Harvard Roll of Honor listing of students and alumni who died in the war. Memoirs of the Harvard dead in the war against Germany, by M.A. DeWolfe Howe. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1920-1924. 5 vols. Memoirs of men whose names are inscribed on the Harvard Roll of Honor. Illustrated with photographs. Volume I (men who died before April 6, 1917) NOTE: Print copies of volumes I - V available in the Archives reading room and at local libraries. Histories of Harvard and Radcliffe that Include Biographical Information The History of Harvard University, by Josiah Quincy. Cambridge : J. Owen, 1840. The Harvard Book: a series of historical, biographical, and descriptive sketches/by various authors; illustrated with views and portraits. Collected and published by Frederick O. Vaille and Henry Alden Clark. Cambridge: 1875. A Century to Celebrate: Radcliffe College 1879-1979, by Dorothy Elia Howells. Cambridge, Mass.: Radcliffe College, c1978. Other On line Resources Annual reports of the presidents and treasurers of Harvard (1826-1995) and Radcliffe (1879-1988) Search by keyword or browse all reports. The Harvard Crimson [Freshman] Dorm History Search Resource hosted by the Harvard College Freshman Dean's Office. Cambridge Buildings and Architects / by Christopher Hail. Web version, 2002. Contains historical information about building owners; searchable by personal name or address. Sibley's private journal, 1846-1882 Transcription. Biographer and Harvard librarian John Langdon Sibley recorded the details of daily life in his diary, commenting on local and national events and people. HOLLIS Search Harvard's catalog for books, manuscripts, and other material in Harvard libraries. Google Books Search for biographical information in books published before 1923. Epitaphs from the Old Burying-Ground in Cambridge, with notes/ by William Thaddeus Harris. Cambridge: J. Owen, 1845. READING ROOM RESOURCES The following material is available for use in the Archives reading room. The reading room is open to the public and our reference staff is available to assist researchers with identifying and using biographical resources. Some of the material noted below may be stored off site and advance notice is required for use. Be sure to review the Planning a Visit section of our website for more information about our location, hours, and policies. Alumni directories, 1642-2005 These include annotated triennial catalogues pubished primarily in the 19th century, the Quinquennial catalogue of the officers and graduates 1636-1930 published in 1930, and alumni directories issued periodically from 1910 to the present (most recent edition published in 2005). Please note that requests for official confirmation of Harvard attendance should be directed to the registrar of the appropriate school. Biographical folders Folders include newsclippings and other printed material relating primarily to Harvard College students and Harvard faculty. Not all alumni are represented; there is no comprehensive list of names available. Index to University records, 1636-1870 On cards, a name and subject index to University records. Includes references to faculty, administrators, students, alumni, and other individuals associated with the University. Quinquennial File Cards These cards include information on birth and death dates and place, academic degrees received, and parentage of deceased alumni and non-graduates. Not all alumni are represented; there is no comprehensive list of names available. Cards for some individuals may be interfiled in biographical folders (see above). Harvard College/Radcliffe College anniversary reports Beginning with the Class of 1833 and continuing to the present, these contain autobiographical accounts submitted by alumni every five years after graduation. Harvard College Yearbooks, 1890 to the present Harvard College Class Books, c1820-1900 These volumes contain autobiographical accounts written by members of the class during their senior year and updated after graduation by the class secretary. Also include newsclippings and some photographs. Harvard College Class Secretaries' records, c1830-1920 Correspondence, notes for class reports, and other information about class members. Records of the Harvard War Records Office (World War I), 1916-1927 Includes correspondence, personal reports of World War I service, photographs, clippings, and other material. Records of the Harvard War Records Office (World War II), 1942-1948 Includes correspondence, personal reports of World War II service, and photographs. Restrictions may apply. Student folders and transcripts, c1895-1927 Restrictions may apply. For questions about access to student records from less than 80 years ago, contact the registrar at the appropriate school. OTHER ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AT HARVARD Biographical information about students, faculty, and administrators at Harvard's various schools can be found in other archives and special collections at Harvard, some of which are noted below. Use the contact information provided on web sites to request more information about these collections. A complete list of repositories can be found at the Harvard Libraries Archives and Special Collections Portal. Radcliffe Archives Center for the History of Medicine The Center holds material relating to students who attended or graduated from Harvard Medical School, School of Dental Medicine, and School of Public Health. Harvard Divinity School Harvard Law School Harvard Business School Harvard Graduate School of Design Harvard Athletics For requests on former and present athletic coaches and staff, please send all inquiries to Kurt Svoboda, Director of Athletic Communication, at Murr Center 65 North Harvard St. 617-495-2206. For additional information about sports at Harvard, see News and Notes section and under individual sports.) RESOURCES BEYOND HARVARD You may be able to locate biographical information on Harvard students, alumni, staff, faculty, and administrators using internet resources and contacting other libraries, archives, and historical societies in New England and elsewhere. Please consult the host of the following selected links for further assistance. American Antiquarian Society Boston Public Library City of Boston Archives Cambridge Historical Commission Cambridge Historical Society Cambridge Public Library Massachusetts Archives Massachusetts Historical Society National Archives (Washington, DC and regional locations) New England Historic Genealogical Society New York Public Library New York Public Library List of Selected Internet Resources in Genealogy		John Langdon Sibley (1804-1885) Harvard librarian and author of Biographical sketches of graduates of Harvard University Daguerreotype, ca. 1840

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