Derek C. Bok, president of Harvard University since 1971 and one of America's foremost educators, has resigned his post, it was announced Tuesday.

Peter Costa, a spokesman for the university, could not offer reasons for the resignation or any details of its timing.Bok, a Stanford University graduate, earned a law degree from Harvard in 1954. He joined the Harvard Law School faculty in 1958 and became dean of the school in 1968.

Bok, 60, is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and author of several books, including one on labor law that he wrote with Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox.

During his tenure as Harvard's president, Bok established both the John F. Kennedy School of Government and revived an undergraduate core curriculum based on the study of classics.

View Comments

Bok worked behind the scenes to maintain traditions at Harvard, which celebrated its 350th anniversary in 1987.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.