images of enslaved individuals, once owned by Harvard, will be handed over, concluding a lengthy legal dispute.
Harvard University to Return 175-year-old Photographs of Enslaved Individuals to South Carolina Museum
Boston - Harvard University will transfer ownership of profoundly significant photographs believed to be the earliest images of enslaved people to the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina. The action comes as part of a settlement with Tamara Lanier, who claims to be a direct descendant of the individuals depicted in the daguerreotypes.
The photographs feature Renty, whom Lanier refers to as "Papa Renty," and his daughter, Delia. They were reportedly taken by Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz in 1850, during a time when Agassiz sought to identify "pure" enslaved individuals of African descent.
Lanier's legal battle with Harvard, which began 15 years ago, aimed to secure the release of the 19th-century images. According to Joshua Koskoff, Lanier's attorney, this resolution represents an unprecedented victory for descendants of those enslaved in the United States.
"I think it's one of a kind in American history, due to the unique blend of factors: the case spans 175 years, and the images date back nearly as long," Koskoff said. "To secure control over photographs of enslaved people dating back that far - that's never happened before."
A key point of contention in the case was whether Harvard could maintain legal ownership of dehumanizing images of enslaved people who could not give their consent. Ultimately, the Massachusetts court system sided with Harvard on the question of ownership but allowed Lanier to pursue emotional damages.
Harvard stated that it had been working towards relinquishing the images to place them in an appropriate context and increase accessibility to the public. In a statement, the university said, "This settlement now allows us to move forward towards placing these images with another museum or public institution."
Tonya M. Matthews, the CEO of the International African American Museum, called the transfer a moment "175 years in the making." The museum will collaborate closely with Lanier on the narrative surrounding the images.
"The bravery, tenacity, and grace shown by Ms. Lanier throughout the long and arduous process of returning these critical pieces of Renty and Delia's story to South Carolina serve as an inspiration for us all," Matthews said.
Lanier requested that Harvard acknowledge its complicity in slavery, listen to her family's oral history, and pay unspecified damages as part of her lawsuit. While financial terms were not disclosed, Koskoff indicated that Harvard has yet to publicly acknowledge Lanier's connection to the images or its role in perpetuating slavery in the United States.
Koskoff also expressed support for Harvard in its current legal challenges against the Trump administration's efforts to cut federal aid and block the enrollment of international students, describing the institution as a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism.
"We do not seek to criticize Harvard in any way, but it is essential to recognize that they are not above reproach, and they must take responsibility for presenting a complete history, even if it casts a negative light on their institution," Koskoff said. "Regardless of the institution's stance on modern-day matters, these historical images and their origins remain an unavoidable chapter of American history."
- The settlement between Tamara Lanier and Harvard University, regarding the 175-year-old photographs of enslaved individuals, marks a significant milestone in the field of policy-and-legislation related to education-and-self-development, as it sets a precedent for descendants seeking the release of such dehumanizing images.
- The International African American Museum, which will receive the photographs from Harvard University, plans to collaborate closely with direct descendant Tamara Lanier to ensure the images are presented in a context that promotes career-development and skills-training, fostering a deeper understanding of the general-news and history of enslaved people in the United States.
- Joshua Koskoff, Tamara Lanier's attorney, underscored the importance of politics and public institutions acknowledging their role in past wrongdoings, as demonstrated by Harvard University's recent decision to return the photographs, and encouraged ongoing dialogue about the need for truth, transparency, and accountability in education and self-development.
