Harvey Porter (1845–1923)
Educator, Librarian, and Acting President
Harvey Porter (1845–1923) was a dedicated educator, scholar, and philanthropist. After serving in the American Civil War and graduating from Amherst College in 1870, he joined the College, initially teaching English and Latin while mastering Arabic. Porter later became professor of history and philosophy, headed the Department of Archaeology, and served as acting president on three occasions. He played a key role in developing the College library and Archaeological Museum, contributed scholarly articles, and was honored with a PhD from Amherst. Known for his generosity, he supported many students financially.