Manuscript copy of the book of Harvard, 1767

Handwritten copy of the Book of Harvard written on one large sheet of paper and signed Boston, January 10th, 1767.

"This manuscript was received from the Librarian's vault in Widener Library by Harley Holden on March 9, 1982. Included with the mss. was a diploma for Thomas Kast (see UAIII.15.18 VT pf) The envelope containing these items was dated November 20, 1940 and marked 'Received of Miss Fanny Haskins Boltwood of Goshen, Mass., as a deposit for safekeeping...'"--Typed note of provenance with item.

Other manuscript copies of the Book of Harvard are available in the Harvard University Archives.

The Book of Harvard was written by a Harvard student, likely Asa Dunbar (Harvard College 1767), as a satirical record of the Harvard College Butter Rebellion of 1766. Dunbar led a protest against the rancid butter being served to students in September 1766. The faculty responded by disciplining Dunbar, which prompted a walk-out by Harvard students. Finally after considerable friction between the governing board and students, 155 students signed a confession promising "future good Conduct." The Book of Harvard satirizes the involvement of Harvard President Edward Holyoke (Edward the Chief Ruler), Professors John Winthrop, Edward Wigglesworth, and Stephen Sewall, Tutors Belcher Hancock, Thomas Danforth, and Joseph Dillard, and Asa Dunbar (Asa the Scribe).