GK Quiz Questions on Harvard University With Answers

Harvard University, nestled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, stands as a beacon of academic excellence and historical significance. Founded on October 28, 1636, it holds the distinction of being the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Originally established to train clergy for the new commonwealth, Harvard quickly evolved, broadening its curriculum and attracting a diverse student body.

Over nearly four centuries, Harvard has played a pivotal role in shaping American intellectual, political, and cultural landscapes. It boasts an unparalleled legacy of producing leaders, innovators, and thinkers across various fields, from U.S. presidents and Nobel laureates to renowned artists and business magnates. Its iconic campus, with its distinct architecture and vibrant academic life, is home to numerous prestigious schools, including Harvard College (undergraduate) and graduate schools covering law, medicine, business, divinity, education, and more. With its vast library system, world-class faculty, and commitment to groundbreaking research, Harvard continues to be a globally recognized leader in education and a testament to enduring intellectual pursuit.

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The Harvard University GK Quiz

This quiz is designed to test your knowledge about Harvard University, covering various aspects of its history, notable figures, campus life, and general facts. Prepare to delve into the illustrious past and present of this iconic institution! Let’s start.

1. When was Harvard University officially founded?

a) 1776

b) 1636

c) 1865

d) 1701

Answer: b) 1636

Explanation: Harvard University was founded on October 28, 1636, making it the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

2. In which city and state is Harvard University primarily located?

a) Boston, Massachusetts

b) New York City, New York

c) Cambridge, Massachusetts

d) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Answer: c) Cambridge, Massachusetts 

Explanation: Harvard's main campus is located along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just a few miles west of downtown Boston.

3. Harvard University was originally established primarily to train which profession?

a) Lawyers

b) Doctors

c) Clergy

d) Engineers

Answer: c) Clergy

Explanation: Like many early American colleges, Harvard was initially founded to train ministers for the Puritan colonies.

4. Who was the first major benefactor after whom Harvard College was named?

a) Benjamin Franklin

b) John Harvard

c) George Washington

d) Thomas Jefferson

Answer: b) John Harvard

Explanation: The college was named in honor of John Harvard, a Puritan clergyman who, upon his death in 1638, bequeathed half of his estate and his entire library of over 400 books to the new institution.

5. Which of the following is NOT one of the Ivy League universities?

a) Yale University

b) Stanford University

c) Princeton University

d) Brown University

Answer: b) Stanford University

Explanation: The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private universities in the Northeastern United States: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale. Stanford University is a prominent university but not part of the Ivy League

6. Which famous library system at Harvard is known for being the largest academic library in the world?

a) Sterling Memorial Library

b) Bodleian Library

c) Widener Library

d) Library of Congress

Answer: c) Widener Library

Explanation: The Harvard Library system, centered in the iconic Widener Library, is the largest academic library in the world, with millions of holdings across its numerous individual libraries.

7. How many U.S. Presidents have graduated from Harvard University (as of 2025)?

a) 4

b) 6

c) 8

d) 10

Answer: c) 8

Explanation: Eight U.S. Presidents have graduated from Harvard: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

8. Which of these famous individuals is NOT an alumnus of Harvard University?

a) Mark Zuckerberg

b) Natalie Portman

c) Elon Musk

d) Barack Obama

Answer: c) Elon Musk

Explanation: While Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook co-founder), Natalie Portman (actress), and Barack Obama (former U.S. President) are all Harvard alumni, Elon Musk attended the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University (briefly).

9. What is the official motto of Harvard University, often seen on its crest?

a) "Lux et Veritas" (Light and Truth)

b) "Veritas" (Truth)

c) "In God We Trust"

d) "E Pluribus Unum"

Answer: b) "Veritas" (Truth)

Explanation: The Latin word "Veritas," meaning "Truth," is the official motto of Harvard University.

10. Harvard has a historic sports rivalry with which other Ivy League university, particularly in football?

a) Columbia University

b) Dartmouth College

c) Yale University

d) Cornell University

Answer: c) Yale University

Explanation: Harvard shares a long-standing and intense rivalry with Yale University, famously known as "The Game" in football, dating back to 1875.

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