Q. Who was the first Black graduate of Harvard College?
Richard Theodore Greener (1844-1922), professor, lawyer, and diplomat, was the first Black graduate of Harvard College, receiving his AB from the College in 1870.
For more information:
- Chaddock, Katherine Reynolds. Uncompromising Activist: Richard Greener, First Black Graduate of Harvard College. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2017. (Please note that you will need to login with your HarvardKey credentials to access the digital content.)
- Gibson, Katie. “Painting Unveiled of College’s First African-American Graduate.” The Harvard Gazette, April 29, 2016.
- Martin, Jean. “An Imposing Honor for Harvard’s First Black Graduate.” Harvard Magazine, February 22, 2018.
- Roberts, Paige. "Richard T. Greener Quadrangle, 2018, at Phillips Academy." Clio: Your Guide to History, December 16, 2019.
- Harvard College Bachelor of Arts diploma of Richard Theodore Greener, June 28, 1870. HUM 201. Harvard University Archives.
- Richard T. Greener portraits and group photographs. Harvard University Archives.