This United States postage stamp, issued in 1940, features a portrait of Charles W. Eliot, the renowned president of Harvard University (1869–1909) and a leading figure in American education. Part of the Famous Americans Series, the stamp belongs to the Educators category, which honored influential scholars and reformers. Designed in a rich purple-violet shade, it carries a 3¢ denomination, suitable for first-class domestic letters at the time. The lower design shows a lamp of knowledge, symbolizing Eliot’s dedication to learning and enlightenment. A classic issue, it remains a prized addition for collectors interested in U.S. commemoratives, educational themes, or 20th-century definitive design.