Harvard Agrees to Transfer Photos of Enslaved Individuals to Museum Following Legal Dispute with Distant Relative
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Harvard University has reached a settlement to transfer photographs of seven enslaved individuals to the International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina. The agreement marks the conclusion of a six-year legal battle between Harvard and Tamara Lanier, who identified two of the images as her alleged ancestors, Renty and Delia, from South Carolina.
The photographs, believed to be the earliest known images of enslaved African people in the United States, were previously housed in Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Dating back to approximately 1850, the daguerreotype portraits of Renty and Delia are 175 years old and were identified by Lanier as her great-great-great-grandfather and his child.
The legal dispute stemmed from Lanier’s claim that her ancestors never gave consent to be photographed. The lawsuit brought by Lanier against Harvard emphasized the lack of consent and the historical context in which the images were used to support a discredited pseudoscientific theory of Black racial inferiority by Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz in defense of slavery.
Apart from the portraits of Renty and Delia, the settlement also includes the transfer of five other images of enslaved individuals to the IAAM. Lanier expressed her relief and satisfaction with the decision, stating, “I have been at odds with Harvard over the custody and care of my enslaved ancestors, and now I can rest assured that my enslaved ancestors will be traveling to a new home.”
Harvard University spokesperson, James Chisholm, acknowledged the institution’s commitment to responsibly stewarding the photographs and finding an appropriate setting where their historical significance can be acknowledged and celebrated. The move represents a significant milestone in a case that Lanier’s attorney, Joshua Koskoff, described as “unprecedented” in American history.
In a statement to the Associated Press, Lanier’s attorney highlighted the unique nature of the case, noting the rare combination of factors involved, including the age of the images and the successful legal efforts to assert control over photographs of enslaved individuals dating back 175 years. The resolution was praised by Susanna Moore, a descendant of Louis Agassiz, who described her ancestor’s study as a “deeply racist project.”
The collaborative effort to return these historically significant images to their home state and place them in an institution that can honor their humanity has been applauded by IAAM CEO Tonya Matthews. The long and arduous process led by Lanier to secure the transfer has been commended as a model of bravery and grace.
The partnership between Harvard University and the IAAM marks a crucial step in acknowledging and addressing the complex legacies of slavery in America. The decision to relinquish these photographs serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to reassess the historical narratives and representations of marginalized communities in educational and cultural institutions.
As efforts to confront and reconcile with the painful history of slavery continue, the resolution of this case offers a glimpse of progress towards greater recognition and respect for the dignity and agency of enslaved individuals and their descendants. The legacy of Renty and Delia, as symbols of resilience and perseverance, will now be honoured in a new setting that acknowledges their humanity.
The collaboration and mutual understanding demonstrated in this settlement reflect a collective commitment to confronting difficult truths and working towards a more inclusive and equitable future. The transfer of these photographs represents a significant step in the ongoing journey towards acknowledging and reckoning with America’s history of enslavement and systemic racism.