Although Harvard had been established for around 170 years at the time of Benjamin's birth, it was still under fairly tight political control and was not an institution of true national standing.
Kahit Harvard ay itinayo para sa humigit-kumulang na 170 mga taon sa panahon ng Benjamin ng kapanganakan, ito ay pantay pa rin sa ilalim ng mahigpit na kontrol at pampulitika ay hindi isang institusyon ng tunay na pambansang kalagayan.