Harvard University
Harvard University, founded in 1636 in Massachusetts, is the oldest higher education institution in the United States and a major research university.
Harvard University is a private research university based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with additional facilities in Boston and elsewhere. Founded in 1636 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It was named after John Harvard, an early benefactor who left books and part of his estate to the college.
Harvard has developed into a large university comprising undergraduate and graduate schools in areas including arts and sciences, law, medicine, business, education and public health. Its libraries and museums hold extensive collections used for teaching and research, while its academic staff and students work across the sciences, humanities, social sciences and professional disciplines.
The university is a member of the Ivy League and has played a prominent role in American academic and public life. Its former students and faculty include political leaders, scientists, writers, economists and recipients of major international awards.