Papers of Joseph Willard

Joseph Willard (1738-1804) was the twelfth president of Harvard College, serving from 1781 to 1804.

Willard was born in 1738 in Biddeford, now in Maine, to the Reverend Samuel Willard and Abigail (Wright) Willard. After the death of his father, Willard and his two older brothers were raised in poverty. To help provide for his family, Willard taught school. Samuel Moody, a local schoolmaster, recognized Willard’s academic aptitude, helped him to prepare for college and arranged a scholarship to Harvard.

During his years as a student (1761-1768), Willard was noted as the best scholar in his class, with a particular talent for mathematics and astronomy. He worked his way through college, serving as a waiter and as Scholar of the House, a student position responsible for the repair of damage to student rooms. He also taught school in Lancaster, Massachusetts. In 1765, he was appointed College Butler, managing the storeroom for beer, other beverages, and College utensils. Willard received an A.B. degree in 1765 and an A.M. degree in 1768. From 1766 to 1768, Willard served as a tutor in Greek. He served as a member of the Harvard Corporation for one year (1768).

Willard resigned his position as tutor in 1772 to serve as minister of the First Church of Beverly, Massachusetts. According to a contemporary account, he was well-liked for being open-minded and non-dogmatic in religious matters.

Willard married Mary Sheafe, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1774. Of their thirteen children, Sidney (Harvard A.B. 1798) joined the Harvard faculty, and Joseph (Harvard A.B. 1816) became a prominent Massachusetts attorney.

One of Willard’s great interests was science. In addition to writing a number of articles on astronomy and mathematics, he kept in contact with American and European scholars. A founding member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he served as its first corresponding secretary beginning in 1780. He also held memberships in the American Philosophical Society, the Royal Society of England, the Medical Society of London, and the Royal Society of Göttingen.

In addition to mathematical and scientific interests, Willard was a scholar of ancient Greek and began research for a Greek grammar in 1781. Although he compiled extensive historical notes and analyses of the language, the grammar was never published.

Willard’s distinction as a scholar helped to recommend his appointment as president of Harvard in 1781. Although considered somewhat austere and autocratic by students, Willard earned their respect and that of the faculty for his conscientious attention to administrative matters. Under Willard’s leadership the University’s reputation grew. University entrance requirements were raised, instruction was updated with the introduction of new courses and texts, daily sermons were discontinued, additions to Harvard Hall were built, and the Harvard Medical School was established. Moreover, the University’s financial stability improved with several substantial gifts.

Willard fell ill in 1798 and spent the next several years in semi-retirement. He died in 1804. His wife Mary died in 1826.