No, This Myth About Harvard and Calculus Isn’t True (But Close)

No, it is not true that when Harvard University was first founded, there were no classes for calculus because it hadn’t been discovered yet. Calculus was developed in the 17th century by mathematicians such as Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and it was a well-established branch of mathematics by the time Harvard was founded in 1636.

Harvard was founded in 1636 as the New College in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and it was chartered as a university in 1650. From the beginning, Harvard’s curriculum included a strong emphasis on mathematics and the natural sciences, and it is likely that calculus was taught at the university from an early point in its history.

It is worth noting that the study of calculus did not become widespread in higher education until the 19th century, when it became a central part of the mathematics curriculum at many colleges and universities. However, this was long after the founding of Harvard University, and calculus was certainly not a “new” discovery at the time of the university’s founding

About Me

Hi, I’m Amy—owner of Pin + Plan Travel, classical homeschool mom, and travel enthusiast.
I’ve explored the world with my own family and love helping others do the same—sharing tips, hidden gems, and meaningful moments along the way.

 

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