Curious: What is the oldest publication currently in the Harper College library?
This book, “Elements of Hebrew” by William Rainey Harper, is the oldest publication in Harper’s library. (Photo by Ari McKellin)
According to Harper College archivist Bridget Lerette and library records, the author behind our oldest library book is one we should all be at least passingly familiar with — it’s a copy of “Elements of Hebrew by an Inductive Method” by William R. Harper himself, first published in 1882. He is also responsible for the oldest document in our archives altogether, which is his degree from Muskingum College, dated July 9, 1870.
If you would like to learn more about the founder of Harper, click here.
