Harvard Butler

The College Butler was responsible for managing the Buttery, a commissary where students could purchase food and minor necessities, and designated common rooms. The position, which existed from the mid-seventeenth century through the end of the eighteenth century, was held by a student, who received a salary and designated dormitory space in return. In later years, the Butler also received a percentage of the profits from Buttery sales.

The first mention of the Butler appears in College Book I, the earliest volume of Harvard records, which contains “Certain Orders by the Schollars & officers of the Colledge to bee observed, written 28 March 1650,” and states “to the Butler belongs the Cellar & butteries & all from thenceforth to the furthest end of the Hall with the South Porch” (College Book I, page 50). The Butler’s duties included cleaning and supplying the Buttery, managing the inventory, manning the Buttery hatch during mealtimes, and keeping the accounts for purchases by students and tutors. In addition, the Butler was responsible for the fires that heated the common rooms, managing the College’s candle supplies, ringing the morning and evening bells, and helping to ensure that utensils were not stolen. The Butler reported to the Steward, who paid his salary and supplied the beer and bread that were the mainstay of students’ meals.

Students appointed as Butler assumed a central role in College life. The Buttery sold “Wines & other Liquors, Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Sugar, Bisket, Pans, Ink & Paper, & other suitable articles for scholars.” The Butler was also permitted to sell the “Butler’s cyder.” Students kept personal accounts with the Butler, who provided weekly accounts of their sizing bills (for food and drink) and collected on their Buttery debts. The Butler provided quarterly reports to the Steward and annually paid the money he had collected to the Treasurer. Along with noting Buttery purchases, the Butler also tallied student absences, fines, and punishments. Occasionally, the Butler also served as the College librarian. In front of the Buttery stood the Buttery book, a notice board with the prices of sundries and the names of all Harvard students listed by seniority. The first action against expelled students was to direct the Butler to remove their names from the posted list.

During the 18th century, Butlers were appointed regularly by the Harvard Corporation. The Corporation records often document resignations and appointments, but there is no complete list of all of the Harvard Butlers. On August 12, 1788, Thomas Adams (1764-1797), a member of the Class of 1788, assumed the position and held it until November 15, 1790, when he accepted a ministry in Camden, South Carolina. His successor, Samuel Shapleigh (1765-1800, Harvard AB 1789) took up the position and held it for three years before his appointment as College librarian. Joseph Chickering (AB 1799) was the last person to hold the position. When the position disappeared, the Steward, Master of the Kitchen, Tutors and Regents each assumed some of the Butler’s duties. The Buttery was closed in 1800.