The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 564 - Early Bad Boys of Harvard
Dec 20, 2022
Dave and Gareth dive into the chaotic beginnings of Harvard, spotlighting Nathaniel Ward and the colony's Puritan roots. They discuss the surprisingly progressive Body of Liberties, and the turbulent disciplinary history under Nathaniel Eaton, the first headmaster notorious for his harsh methods. The podcast reveals student complaints about food and drink, along with the scandalous criminal activities of future ministers. Amidst a backdrop of severe punishments, they reflect on Harvard's violent origins and its lasting impact on American academia.
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Nathaniel Ward's Religious Turn
- Nathaniel Ward left law to become a Puritan minister after meeting German theologian David Perius in Heidelberg.
- He later served as chaplain in Prussia before returning to England and then emigrating to Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Education Created Instant Authority
- Early New England lacked comprehensive English legal texts, so educated arrivals became de facto legal authorities.
- That scarcity made ministers and lawyers disproportionately influential in colonial governance.
Body Of Liberties Mixed Rights And Scripture
- Nathaniel Ward's Body of Liberties blended Bible and common law to form New England's first legal code.
- It protected rights like no double jeopardy and banned torture while still subordinating law to scripture.
