“I also hope that, in time and with attention to the concerns raised this past semester, we will succeed in achieving an improved relationship between the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the central administration,” Summers wrote.

Harper’s resignation was effective July 14, the date of his letter, though the University waited two weeks to announce his departure. Summers’ reply and Houghton’s statement were both dated Monday, August 1.

Harper’s letter exposed a rare public fissure in the highly secretive Corporation, of which Summers is himself a member. Two individuals close to the Corporation said Harper had long been the board’s sole dissenter, having opposed Summers’ selection as president in the first place.

Harper’s relationship with Summers deteriorated following the president’s public spat with West, whom Harper felt had been unfairly targeted by Summers.

“I had hoped that the unfortunate incident with Professor Cornel West was an aberration,” Harper wrote in his letter to Summers.

In an interview this afternoon, West said he concurred with the tone of Harper’s letter and his call on Summers to resign.

“This is the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” West said. “It should be clear that Summers’ pattern of behavior is that of a sociopath with deep racist and sexist sensibilities. And I just hate to see my beloved Harvard so damaged by Brother Summers’ behavior.”

A six-member search committee to choose Harper’s successor was formed today. The committee includes Corporation members Houghton, Nannerl O. Keohane, and Robert D. Reischauer, and Board of Overseers members Robert W. Ferguson, Jr., Lee Pelton, and Patti B. Saris.

—Staff writer Zachary M. Seward can be reached at seward@fas.harvard.edu.