Haskins, David Greene, 1818-1896

David Greene Haskins received his A.B. from Harvard College in 1837. According to family tradition and a label pinned to the garment, Haskins wore this 'toga' during the summer of his sophomore year, 1834-1835. At that time, Harvard's school year ended in August.

The garment is referred to as a 'toga' in the 1936 correspondence relating to its donation to the Harvard University Archives, but the origin of use of this term to describe this garment is unknown. The garment resembles a loose-fitting, half-length dressing gown and matches the design of a "cloak dressing gown," the pattern for which was published in an 1838 sewing manual, The Workwoman's Guide / [by a lady]. (London : Simpkin, Marshall, 1838). Reprint: Guilford, Conn. : Opus Publications, [1987].

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