Rubbing of the gravestone of Harvard librarian Nathaniel Ward made by David S. Ferriero, October 15, 1972

Large rubbing of the gravestone of Nathaniel Ward, librarian of Harvard college for one week in 1768. The rubbing was made by David S. Ferriero, and is signed and dated October 15, 1972 in the lower right corner.

Open for research.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Nathaniel Ward was born on July 29, 1746 in Salem, Massachusetts to Miles and Hannah (Hawthorne) Ward. He received his Harvard AB in 1765 and his AM three years later. As a student at Harvard, Ward read many of the books shelved in the Hancock alcove of the College library which were donated by John Hancock following the Harvard Hall fire of 1764 which destroyed most of the library's holdings. Ward was appointed Librarian of Harvard College in 1768 but died from a fever only a week later on October 12, 1768. Ward was engaged to marry Priscilla, the youngest daughter of Harvard president Edward Holyoke, and had turned down an offer of the chair of mathematics and natural philosophy at King’s (now Columbia) College. He was buried in the Charter Street Cemetery in Salem.

Rubbing of the gravestone of Harvard librarian Nathaniel Ward made by David S. Ferriero, October 15, 1972. HUY 127, Harvard University Archives.