The Four Seasons
The four circular panels by Frank Weston Benson (American painter, 1862–1951) above the doorways represent the four seasons, from left to right; Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
- Spring
"IT IS THE MIND THAT MAKES THE MAN, AND OUR VIGOR
IS IN OUR IMMORTAL SOUL"
Ovid (43BC–AD17), Metamorphoses (AD8)
- Summer
"THEY ARE NEVER ALONE THAT ARE ACCOMPANIED WITH NOBLE THOUGHTS"
Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586), Arcadia (1590)
- Autumn
"MAN IS ONE WORLD AND HATH ANOTHER TO ATTEND HIM"
George Herbert (1593–1633), The Temple (1633)
- Winter
"TONGUES IN TREES, BOOKS IN THE RUNNING BROOKS, SERMON IN STONES, AND GOOD IN EVERYTHING"
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), As You Like It, act 2, sc. 1 (ca. 1600)
The names and quotes in the Great Hall were chosen by Librarian of Congress Ainsworth Rand Spofford and Charles Elliot, president of Harvard University.