On this day in 1607, more than 400 years ago, John Harvard was born across the pond in Jolly Olde England, unaware that one day a simple philanthropic act would charter the course for the Greater Boston Area to become one of the premier educational centers in the entire world. And while the renowned university that bears his namesake may seem familiar to most, if not all, Bostonians, John Harvard the man is less established in our minds.

So to help ring in his 406th birthday, here are five fun facts you might not know about the first benefactor of the oldest higher learning institution in the United States, John Harvard.

1. He was a clergyman

Albeit essentially every man of educational esteem during the early colonial period of America was, of some form or another, attached to the progressive religious denomination of the day. But a misconceived pitfall when considering John Harvard was that he was maybe the president of the college, or perhaps a professor. In fact, he was a preacher at the First Church of Charlestown having been ordained a dissenting minister upon graduating college in his native Cambridge (England).

2. Statue of Three Lies

This you might recall from the memorable final club hazing scene from The Social Network. But in case the romanticized Mark Zuckerberg story isn’t your thing, here’s the deal: There lies in Harvard Yard a statue of a man, the inscription of which reads “John Harvard, Founder, 1638.” Turns out, none of that is true. John Harvard was not the founder of the university but rather it’s first benefactor, donating half of his monetary inheritance and his entire library to the school. Also, Harvard was founded in 1636, not 1638, and the statue itself is not of John Harvard. It’s a former Harvard Law student named Sherman Hoar.

3. The John Harvard Statue is good luck

A common practice for Harvard students is to rub the toe of the John Harvard statue for good luck. Similarly, during Commencement Day seniors in procession tip their graduation caps to the statue. There’s plenty of lore surrounding how both traditions came to be, but of course, across the Charles, Boston is a superstitious town in and of itself.

4. The statue is the third most photographed in the country

Considering the sprawling landscape of the United States and the innumerable statues that populate its land, it’s eye-opening that the John Harvard statue is the third most photographed in the country. Think of all the busts and memorials Washington D.C. alone boasts. BostInno associate editor Lauren Landry documented her own tour of Harvard where she learned that only the Lincoln Memorial and the Statue of Liberty are immortalized more in snapshots.

5. He lived a short but fulfilling life

A year after taking up his position in Charlestown, the late John Harvard fell victim to tuberculosis at the age of 30. He was subsequently buried in the Boston neighborhood’s Phipps Street Burying Ground. A granite memorial has since been situated there in further commemoration, but his lasting legacy will always be his generous donations that helped birth Harvard University.

Happy 406th, John!