Rev. Joseph McKean

Rev. McKean was born in Ipswitch, MA on April 19, 1776 and, showing a sharp mind, was sent to Andover to prepare for college at age 11. He matriculated at Harvard in 1790 and quickly became part of the social life of the campus. As a freshman he was called upon to host a gathering of students who just liked to get together for food, drink, and socializing and for that occasion, young McKean chose to roast a whole pig. From his successful idea, and probably a fair amount of wine, this later corresponding secretary for the Society for the Suppression of Intemperance became known as the founder of the “pig club,” which became Harvard’s Porcellian Club. The McKean Gate at Harvard pictured here is named for him.

McKean graduated from Harvard in 1794, studied theology, and was ordained at the Congregational Church in Milton in 1797.

Having a frail constitution, he gave up the pulpit in 1804 and traveled for a bit in warmer climates. After returning to Boston he was courted by Harvard as a Professor, first refusing the chair in Mathematics later offered to founder John Farrar but finally accepting the position of Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory, where he remained for ten years.

Again plagued by ill health, Rev. McKean traveled to Havana, where he died on March 17, 1818 at the age of 42.