NEW FRESHMAN CLASS WILL ONLY BE 297TH TO GRADUATE

According to the figures of Samuel Eliot Morison, Harvard historian, the Class of 1942 will be the 297th to graduate. He figures it thus: The first graduating class was the Class of 1642. There were no classes of 1644, 1648, 1672, 1682, and 1688; but there were two in 1653. Consequently there were 55 classes in the 17th century. Add 200 for the 18th and 19th centuries and 41 for the present century which will graduate ahead of 1942. The Freshmen now entering are Harvard's 297th Class.

Looked at a different way, this is the 301st year of the University, since the College did not begin to function until the summer of 1638.