Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 22, 1995 TAG: 9509220057
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER
DATELINE: CAMBRIDGE, MASS. LENGTH: Short
It stands shamelessly in the middle of Harvard Yard (HAH-vid Yahd), at the top university in the country, the hallowed-est halls of higher learning, the brick bastion of brains - the school whose motto is ``Veritas'' - truth.
The statue of John Harvard.
Only it's not him. (Lie one.)
All the students who've rubbed the tip of his left shoe for good luck (for exams, blind dates, future Nobel prizes, etc.) until the bronze has been worn to a brassy shine, have been duped.
The granite block where what's-his-name sits reads, ``John Harvard, founder, 1638.''
Lies, lies, lies.
The guy with the shiny shoe is really Shirley Hoar, whose great-grandfather was Harvard's third president.
Old John was a minister who gave the school the first of its many megabuck donations, but he was not a founder (lie two). Harvard was founded by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636 (not 1638 - lie three). It decided to honor John by naming the school for him and placing him in center court (convenient for shoe rubs). There were no clues to what he looked like, so they chose Shirley, who was considered in those days to be quite a hunk.
Since we're talking Harvard trivia here, add this to your impressive cocktail-party repartee: The tradition at Harvard is to name a house or hall (Harvardese for dorm or building) after its presidents. In the interest of maintaining the school's sterling reputation, Shirley's great-granddad had to be passed over.
Alas, there is no Hoar House at Harvard.
by CNB