John Harvard

John Harvard (1607-1638), English clergyman, born in London, and educated at the University of Cambridge. In 1637 he emigrated to New England and settled in Charlestown (now part of Boston), where, although never formally ordained, he was active as a minister for a short time. Upon his death he left the college at New Towne (later Cambridge), Massachusetts, half his fortune and his library of some 300 books. The Massachusetts General Court named the institution Harvard College (now Harvard University) in his honour in 1639.