Established in 1782, Harvard Medical School began with a handful of students and a faculty of three. The first classes were held in Harvard Hall in Cambridge, long before the School’s iconic quadrangle was built in Boston. With each passing decade, the School’s faculty and trainees amassed knowledge and influence, shaping medicine in the United States and beyond. Some community members—and their accomplishments—have assumed the status of legend. We invite you to access the following resources to explore Harvard Medical School’s rich history.

Members of the Harvard Medical School community have been expanding the boundaries of knowledge for more than 200 years. The following entries represent just a sampling of their progress, including accomplishments made by faculty members at the School’s affiliated hospitals and research institutes.

The History of HMS: The Beginning.
The Beginning
Daniel D. Federman, AB ’49, MD ’53, Carl W. Walter Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Medical Education, discusses the founding of Harvard Medical School.
The History of HMS: Too Many Homes
The Many Homes
A History of Harvard Medical School
The History of HMS: The Eliot Years
The Eliot Years
History of HMS: The Quad
The Quad
Daniel D. Federman, AB ’49, MD ’53, Carl W. Walter Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Medical Education, explores the transformation of the current campus from farmland.
The History of HMS: A Shift in Focus
The History of HMS
Daniel D. Federman, AB ’49, MD ’53, Carl W. Walter Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Medical Education, discusses the admittance of women, affirmative action and partnership with MIT.