Opening BB&N Minds

Opening BB&N Minds

Buckingham, Browne & Nichols (BB&N) is a private day school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Across the river from Harvard University, the school is the result of a 1974 merger of two institutions which had been part of the Cambridge academic landscape for almost a century.

Edward Washburn joined the BB&N faculty in 1965.  He began teaching English to 7th and 8th graders around the time of the 1974 merger.  During the same period, on trips in New England, Washburn encouraged students to engage in sexual activities in his presence.  By 1985, Washburn was molesting young boys in his Lexington home.  In 1987, Washburn was charged with raping two boys by the Middlesex Country District Attorney's office. Washburn pleaded guilty and received a suspended sentence. 

In October, 2008, BB&N made a substantial step forward when it contacted alumni with this letter apologizing for past mistakes and providing some steps toward helping people abused by Washburn. 

Edward "Ted" Washburn remains free, an employee of a Cambridge non-profit. 

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Talk with a Counselor

The school has also made resources available.  For more information, you can read Head of School Rebecca Upham's letter or call the service that the school has created.  You can reach the counseling services at (617) 558-3901, ask to speak with the consulting psychiatrist, and identify yourself as someone seeking assistance arising out of experiences relating to Ted Washburn. 

 See You Can Help for information how to find help for yourself or a friend.