Photo, left:  In 1665, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard University.
Here: The Harvard Foundation on Dec. 16 proudly unveiled the portrait of Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, a member of the Wampanoag tribe, and the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College, in 1665. The portrait, painted by artist Stephen Coit ’71, resides in Annenberg Hall.
Stephen Coit, an alumnus, conducted careful historical research and consulted with members of the Wampanoag. Rev. Peter J. Gomes chaired the project and attended with Harvard President Drew Faust and members of the Harvard Native American Program to commemorate the day.
Cheeshahteaumuck, of the Wampanoag tribe, came from Martha's Vineyard and attended a preparatory school in Roxbury. At Harvard, he lived and studied in the Indian College, Harvard's first brick building, with a fellow Wampanoag, Joel Iacoomes.
Cheeshahteaumuck died of tuberculosis in Watertown, Massachusetts less than a year after graduation.
Apart from Cheeshahteaumuck and Iacoomes, at least two other Native American students attended the Indian College at this time. Eleazar died before graduating and John Wampus left to become a mariner. Iacoomes was lost in a shipwreck a few months prior to graduation, while returning to Harvard from Martha's Vineyard. Cheeshahteaumuck is believed to have been the only Native American to have graduated from the Indian College during its years of operation. These first students studied in an educational system that emphasized Greek, Latin, and religious instruction.
 
JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW
 
Hour One
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 1, Block A: The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America,  by Scott Weidensaul  ( of 4)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 1, Block B:  The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America,  by Scott Weidensaul  ( of 4)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 1, Block C: The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America,  by Scott Weidensaul  ( of 4)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 1, Block D:  The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America,  by Scott Weidensaul  ( of 4)
 
Hour Two
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 2, Block A:  American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution, by Walter R. Borneman (1 of 8)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 2, Block B:  American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution, by Walter R. Borneman  (2 of 8)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 2, Block C:   American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution, by Walter R. Borneman (3 of 8)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 2, Block D: American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution, by Walter R. Borneman (4 of 8)
 
Hour Three
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 3, Block A:  American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution, by Walter R. Borneman (5 of 8)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 3, Block B:  American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution, by Walter R. Borneman (6 of 8)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 3, Block C:  American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution, by Walter R. Borneman (7 of 8)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 3, Block D: American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution, by Walter R. Borneman (8 of 8)
 
Hour Four
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 4, Block A:  The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America,  by Scott Weidensaul  (1 of 4)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 4, Block B:  The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America,  by Scott Weidensaul  (2 of 4)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 4, Block C:  The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America,  by Scott Weidensaul  (3 of 4)
Saturday 26 November 2016 / Hour 4, Block D:   The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery, and Endurance in Early America,  by Scott Weidensaul  (4 of 4)