Edward Stephen Harkness

In the hindsight of a century hence it may be that informed judgment will select as the greatest public benefactor of our times someone now quite unsuspected; but to those of us who have lived here during the fifty years last past Edward S. Harkness would clearly appear to be that person. He was born to very great wealth; he was reared by a wise mother; and, whether by nature or by nurture, there developed within him an understanding of the meaning of American civilization, and a vision of the possibility of things. He conceived of himself as the steward of his property, with the duty to conserve and administer it so as to advance the good life and to suppress and control evil. In the discharge of this self-imposed task, he was singularly free from emotional predilections. He was aware of the importance of ascertaining the true facts of situations which came to his notice, and of assaying these facts freed from the prejudices and enthusiasms of those who were already involved.

He advocated no particular panacea for the ills of the world. It is self-evident that hospitals and medical schools contribute to relieve sufferings, and to those which had already proved their worth he gave generously that their usefulness might be increased. He was intensely interested in education; and he made it possible for Harvard and Yale to decentralize their students in small college groups—a matter of great moment, but which involved such expense as to be utterly unattainable except with his gifts and backing. It is characteristic that what he did in this respect for one of these ancient institutions he did also for the other, thus preserving equal opportunities and balance at both Universities. Likewise, when he contributed generously to the endowment of Exeter, he did the same for Andover.

The tale of his benefactions cannot here be told. It is said that in the decade 1920–30 he gave away $55,000,000; but the important observation to be made is that it was due to his own care and common sense that he did much good and no harm. Undoubtedly he had great fun with the Harvard dormitories. To see the thing take form, to extend its scope after a modest beginning, to realize the epoch-making significance in the undergraduate life which was involved, must have been thrilling and a source of deep and lasting satisfaction. And, of course, he was supremely happy, when he later could do the same thing for Yale. The fact that the total cost ultimately came to $24,000,000 instead of the $3,000,000 originally contemplated is an indication of his growing enthusiasm.

Besides education, he was particularly interested in Anglo-American relations. He established in England the Pilgrim Trust, a fund of $10,000,000 to be entirely under the control of a distinguished British Board of Trustees “for promoting the future well-being of Britain.” This has been administered in a most interesting manner, as recounted in the annual reports of the Trustees.

The same Fate which selected Harkness to sit in the seat of power implanted in him a shy and modest disposition. He was proud of his membership in the Club, but he was not gregarious by nature, and his peculiar position, the very burden of his wealth, made him reluctant to join in miscellaneous groups. For, sooner or later, someone would monopolize his time with an account of his particular hobby which needed financial backing; and this took away a great deal of the pleasure which the ordinary person has in sitting around and just talking.

Least of anyone would Harkness have liked the reading aloud of the long roll of his charitable activities. Those that were unknown—and they were plenty—must have given him the most pleasure. His was a good life; whose good will continue long, long after his death. The world is a better place because of him.

Geoffrey Parsons
1940 Century Memorials