Why is this seemingly simple bronze statue so famous? The John Harvard Statue stands before us a seemingly straightforward monument. It honors John Harvard a clergyman whose generous bequest helped establish Harvard College. However the story is far more intricate than it first appears. This seemingly simple statue is nicknamed “the statue of three lies”. Why?
The first lie is that the statue doesn’t actually depict John Harvard. No accurate likeness of him exists. The sculptor Daniel Chester French used a model. He chose a Harvard student Sherman Hoar. Hoar was a descendant of a Harvard president. He provided the face for this iconic figure.
The second lie is the inscription proclaiming John Harvard the “Founder”. While his generous donation of his library and half his estate was crucial. It wasn’t a singular act of founding. The Massachusetts Bay Colony’s Great and General Court voted to establish the college. John Harvard was a founder. He was one among many. He just became the most honored of these.
The third lie concerns the date. The inscription states 1638. The actual founding of Harvard College was in 1636. This makes Harvard the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
Despite these “lies” the John Harvard Statue remains a beloved icon. It sits in Harvard Yard. It has stood there since its move from Memorial Hall in 1924. Tourists flock to it. They rub the toe of his left shoe for good luck. This is a modern tradition not an old one. The toe gleams brighter than the rest of the statue. This is a testament to the enduring power of this iconic image. The statue continues to inspire. It embodies the ideals of Harvard University and continues to capture hearts and imaginations across the globe. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward stories can hold layers of fascinating history. And even myths can become traditions.