Nathaniel Eaton (1609–1674) was an English clergyman and educator, best known as the first headmaster of Harvard College. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, earning his B.A. in 1629 and later a D.D. (Doctor of Divinity). A scholar in theology and the classics, Eaton was appointed to lead Harvard in 1637, shortly after its founding, helping lay the groundwork for colonial higher education.
However, his tenure was short-lived and controversial. Eaton was dismissed in 1639 following accusations of harsh discipline and mismanagement. He later returned to England, where he continued to serve as a minister, though his reputation remained mixed. Despite his troubled legacy, Eaton played a formative role in the early history of American education. Learn more.