Statue of three lies
This statue is located prominently in Harvard Yard at the heart of Harvard University’s campus in Cambridge. It is an old custom for students to rub the toe of its left shoe for academic prosperity. That toe is shiny golden because of this, while the rest of the statue is blackened with age.
It is commonly called the Statue of Three Lies. That is because it carries this inscription:
JOHN HARVARD
FOUNDER
1638
Harvard University was not founded in 1638.
John Harvard did not found it.
And that’s not John Harvard. Some student posed for the sculptor. John Harvard sucked at posing, on account of being dead.
But more amusing than that is the expression on the face of the guy in the red shirt. I have enlarged it here for your viewing pleasure.
January 9th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I remember seeing this statue when I visited Harvard a few years ago. I had been looking at colleges in the Boston area and thought it may be nice to visit the Harvard campus (even know I did not apply). I did however take some nice photographs next to this statue.