Harvard President Samuel Langdon and the College fellows voted on April 3, 1776 to award Gen. George Washington an honorary doctoral degree. The decision came about two weeks after the Continental Army forced the British out of Boston, a major turning point in the War for Independence. The University Archivist said the degree recognized Washington’s success as a general in driving British forces from Boston and freeing the city and Harvard from occupation. The degree was also described as an expression of the College’s gratitude for Washington’s eminent service to his country and society. The Latin degree’s English translation praised Washington’s civil and military virtues and his efforts to deliver New England from British arms and defend other colonies.
"Harvard President Samuel Langdon and the fellows of the College held an assembly and voted to award Gen. George Washington an honorary doctoral degree on April 3, 1776, about two weeks after the Continental Army forced the British out of Boston, a turning point in the War for Independence."
"“Harvard awarded Washington this degree partially to recognize the success of the work that he did as a general, driving the British forces from Boston and freeing the city and Harvard from occupation,” said University Archivist Virginia Hunt. “We conferred the degree as an expression of the gratitude of the College for his eminent service to his country and to society.”"
"The English translation of the degree, originally printed in Latin, lauds Washington “for his distinguished Virtues, both Civil and Military ... through all the Fatigues and Dangers of a Camp, without accepting any Reward, he might deliver New-England from the unjust and cruel Arms of Britain, and defend the other Colonies.”"
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