Talk:James Bryant Conant
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[edit] Letter left to be opened by Harvard president of 'next century'
Conant left a letter in the 1951 with explicit instructions that it was to be opened only by the next inaugrated president of the next century. Drew Gilpin Faust opened that letter recently and spoke of it in her inauguration 10/12/07. It was exceedingly interesting hearing her read exceprts (the most ironic bit being the opening 'my dear sir'). Someone with a better knowledge of the contents of this letter would do a great service to this entry by adding a section on this both here and in Pres. Faust's entry.
[edit] Finishing school?
This article notes that Harvard was "until then widely perceived as a 'finishing school' for members of the New England upper class." There is little doubt that President Conant brought Harvard into the twentieth century and firmly established is reputation for academic excellence. But to dismiss the oldest institution for higher learning in America as a finishing school seems a bit much to me. Was that written by a Yalie? lol MarmadukePercy (talk) 03:12, 24 April 2008 (UTC)
