Harvard University’s logo combines a crimson shield bearing three open books with the university’s name in two lines of uppercase serif lettering. The pages carry sections of the Latin word Veritas, meaning “truth”. Two books sit above a third. In the vertical arrangement, the name appears above the shield, while in the horizontal version it sits to the right. The lettering is dark on light backgrounds and white on dark backgrounds. The emblem dates back to a sketch from 1643 that lay forgotten in the archives for many years. University president Josiah Quincy rediscovered it in 1836, and it became the basis of the seal officially adopted in 1843. The shield is also used on its own, while a version with a wreath and banner is reserved for ceremonial occasions.
Harvard University is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636, it is the country’s oldest institution of higher education. It was named in honour of benefactor John Harvard, who left it his library and part of his estate. The institution comprises Harvard College and schools covering law, medicine, business, education, government and other disciplines. It combines teaching with research in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. Its libraries, museums and scholarly collections support both teaching and research.
