Harvard’s Magna Carta: Not a Copy, But a 1300s Original
Harvard Law School’s online collection unexpectedly revealed a 1300 Magna Carta, originally misidentified as a later copy. Through rigorous testing, Professors Carpenter and Vincent confirmed its authenticity as one of only seven surviving originals issued by Edward I. This discovery highlights the document’s immense historical significance, solidifying its place as a foundational text for Western legal traditions and democracy. The document, acquired by Harvard in 1946 for a mere $27.50, possesses a remarkable provenance, passing through the hands of abolitionists and military figures before finding its home in the library.
John Q. Hosedrinker