Timeline 1871-1920

1871

Harvard extends summer vacation to 13 weeks.

Asa Gray, Professor of Natural History, offers first summer course in Botany.

1873

Louis Agassiz, Professor of Zoology and Geology, opens the Anderson School of Natural History on Penikese Island.

1874

Josiah Parsons Cooke, Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy, teaches a summer course in Chemistry.

Alexander Agassiz, Member of the Faculty (Museum of Comparative Zoology), conducts a second session of the Anderson School of Natural History on Penikese Island.

1875

Nathaniel Southgate Shaler, Professor of Paleontology, conducts first formal summer field course in Geology.

1887

Dudley Allen Sargent, Assistant Professor of Physical Training and Director of the Hemenway Gymnasium, establishes Summer School of Physical Training.


Harvard President Charles W. Eliot appoints Nathaniel Southgate Shaler to chair Committee in Charge Of Summer Courses.

1888

Summer courses in French and German language study are offered.

1891

Vote of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences recognizes summer courses and specifies conditions under which they can be taken for credit.

1892

First restaurant for members of the Summer School opens at the Foxcroft Club.

1899

The pedagogues : a story of the Harvard summer school, a novel by Arthur Stanwood Pier, Harvard A.B. 1895 is published.

1907

Harvard Summer School Association is formed “to promote the welfare of the School and of its members.” Membership was comprised of current and past students and officers of the School.

1909

Nearly every academic department in the University is represented by a summer course.

1915

College dormitories (Standish and Smith Halls) are opened to Summer School students for the first time.

1920

The University establishes the Graduate School of Education; the Summer School becomes the Summer School of Arts and Sciences and of Education.

Asa Gray, 1858. HUP Gray, Asa, A.M. (Hon.) 1844 (2b) Click on image for a larger view.

Louis Agassiz, ca. 1860. HUP Agassiz, Louis (13) Click on image for a larger view.

Josiah Parsons Cooke, ca. 1868. HUP Cooke, Josiah Parsons A.B. 1848 (8a) Click on image for a larger view.

Nathaniel Southgate Shaler, ca. 1890. HUP Shaler, Nathaniel S., S.B. 1862 (6a) Click on image for a larger view.

Dudley Allen Sargent, ca. 1900. HUP Sargent, Dudley Allen (8) Click on image for a larger view.

Charles William Eliot, ca. 1900. HUP Eliot, Charles W. (38a) Click on image for a larger view.