Heraldry of the Ivy League

Having been on five of the eight campuses, I'd have to say the arms of Harvard and Penn are my two favorites.

I'm deeply honored to have been asked recently to join as a co-presenter on the topic of the heraldry of the Ivy League Schools.  Sponsored through the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B), this free Zoom presentation is scheduled for Thursday, September 7th at 7:00 p.m. (EDT).  

Click here to register through NYG&B for the free Zoom presentation 

The main presenter is Mr. Paul Campbell who serves as the President of the US-based College of Arms Foundation, a philanthropic operation endeavoring to: 

"promote English heraldry in the United States and support the efforts of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority for England – as well as Wales, Northern Ireland, and Commonwealth nations. We are not part of the College of Arms, but we work very closely with the Garter King of Arms and the other Officers of Arms and Staff of the College" (College of Arms Foundation website, August 24, 2023).

 

The arms of the College of Arms Foundation (US) blazoned: Argent, a cross and within four tressures all gules as many doves their dexter wings elevated and inverted azure, beaked and legged of the second.  Link to the foundation is located under "websites of interest."  

Established in 1983 and incorporated as a 501(3)c not-for-profit organization in the State of New York,  the College of Arms Foundation's original purpose was to, "raise funds to preserve the College’s building, on Queen Victoria Street in the City of London, where it has been based since the late 17th century" (College of Arms Foundation, 2023).  As time passed, the focus of the foundation evolved.

"In 2001, the Foundation's focus was changed to promote knowledge of, and interest in, English heraldry in the United States. Through 2014, the Foundation co-sponsored lectures on heraldry with the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, at whose office the events were held. Since 2014, the Foundation has funded special projects at the College of Arms"(College of Arms Foundation website, August 24, 2023).

I recently became a member of the foundation, unquestionably because of my love of all things English.  Regardless, I've rather enjoyed making new connections and friendships within the heraldry community.  

For comparison, the arms of The White Lion Society (UK) which seeks to support the work of the College of Arms in the United Kingdom.  Notice the slight differencing from the US foundation's arms.  Link to the Society is located under "websites of interest."  

Insofar as the heraldry of the Ivy League is concerned, my interest remains focused on the involvement of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) and several projects he collaborated on within a few of these storied institutions.  La Rose, of course, designed the arms for all the schools (and many of the houses) at Harvard in preparation for the university's Tercentenary celebration in 1936.  La Rose also designed the arms for both Calhoun College (now Grace Hopper College) and Pierson College at Yale.  La Rose partnered with Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) to render several historical coats for incorporation into the Holy Grail stained glass window at Princeton.  Finally, la Rose was interviewed in 1933 concerning the newly adopted arms at the University of Pennsylvania.  

Having stepped foot on the campuses of Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Penn, I'd say the arms of Harvard and Penn are tied for my favorite designs.  I absolutely loved Dartmouth's campus, but lament their design of arms.  Click here to read a proposal by Johnathan Good in 1995 to Dartmouth College to adopt a revision of their arms by Jonathan Good.  

A proposed seal containing Jonathan Good's proposed arms for Dartmouth College.  The seal matrix and gothic tracery was the design of la Rose and used heavily by him for corporate seals in the early 20th century. 

Posting my research here has certainly helped provide greater visibility of my work within the heraldry community, literally igniting my desire to continue and work harder.  

I do hope you'll join us for this presentation.