List of Harvard University people
Overview
Harvard University, established in 1636, is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the world. Over the centuries, it has produced a remarkable array of alumni, faculty, and affiliates who have made significant contributions across various fields. This article provides a comprehensive list of notable individuals associated with Harvard University, categorized by their contributions and affiliations.
Notable Alumni
Politics and Government
Harvard University has been a breeding ground for numerous influential political figures. Among its alumni are several U.S. Presidents, including John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Each of these leaders has left a distinct mark on American history, shaping domestic and international policies.
In addition to U.S. Presidents, Harvard has educated numerous foreign leaders, such as Ban Ki-moon, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former President of Liberia. The university's influence extends to the judiciary, with several Supreme Court Justices, including Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Felix Frankfurter, and Elena Kagan, being Harvard alumni.
Business and Economics
Harvard's impact on the business world is profound, with many of its graduates becoming leaders of major corporations and influential economists. Notable business figures include Michael Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg L.P. and former Mayor of New York City, and Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Facebook. Harvard Business School has produced numerous CEOs, such as Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and Meg Whitman, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard.
In the field of economics, Harvard alumni have been pivotal in shaping economic theory and policy. Paul Samuelson, a Nobel laureate, is renowned for his work in modern economic theory, while Lawrence Summers, a former U.S. Treasury Secretary, has been influential in economic policy-making.
Science and Technology
Harvard has been at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements. Alumni like John Bardeen, a two-time Nobel laureate in Physics, and Steven Pinker, a prominent cognitive psychologist, have made groundbreaking contributions to their fields. In technology, Bill Gates, although a dropout, co-founded Microsoft and revolutionized the personal computing industry.
Other notable figures include Mark Zuckerberg, who launched Facebook from his Harvard dormitory, and Susan Hockfield, a neuroscientist and former President of MIT, who has contributed significantly to the field of life sciences.
Literature and Arts
Harvard's influence extends to literature and the arts, with alumni such as T.S. Eliot, a Nobel Prize-winning poet, and Jhumpa Lahiri, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. The university has also nurtured talents in the performing arts, including Natalie Portman, an Academy Award-winning actress, and Yo-Yo Ma, a world-renowned cellist.
Notable Faculty
Sciences
Harvard's faculty has included some of the most distinguished scientists and researchers. E.O. Wilson, a biologist known for his work on biodiversity and sociobiology, and Richard Feynman, a Nobel laureate in Physics, have been part of Harvard's esteemed faculty. The university has also been home to Stephen Jay Gould, a prominent paleontologist and evolutionary biologist.
Humanities
In the humanities, Harvard's faculty has been influential in shaping modern thought. Henry Louis Gates Jr., a literary critic and historian, has made significant contributions to African American studies. Helen Vendler, a renowned literary critic, has been instrumental in the study of poetry.
Social Sciences
Harvard's social sciences faculty includes notable figures like Amartya Sen, a Nobel laureate in Economics, known for his work on welfare economics and social choice theory. Robert Putnam, a political scientist, has contributed significantly to the understanding of social capital and community engagement.
Affiliates and Honorary Degree Recipients
Harvard has also recognized numerous individuals with honorary degrees, acknowledging their contributions to society. These include Nelson Mandela, a global icon for peace and reconciliation, and Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, known for her leadership in European and global affairs.