Harvard Relinquishes Historic Enslaved Ancestors Photos to South Carolina Museum

Harvard University has agreed to relinquish 175-year-old daguerreotype photographs of enslaved individuals, identified by Tamara Lanier as her ancestors Renty and his daughter Delia, to the International African American Museum in South Carolina. This settlement concludes a lengthy legal battle initiated by Lanier, who argued that her ancestors did not consent to being photographed and sought justice for their dignity and legacy. The images, originally used by Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz to support racist theories of Black inferiority, were held by Harvard's Peabody Museum but will now be transferred to a museum dedicated to African American history in the state where Renty and Delia were enslaved. Harvard stated it has been committed to responsibly stewarding the photographs and sought to place them where their historical significance is properly appreciated. Lanier and her attorney described the outcome as unprecedented, highlighting its importance in addressing historical injustices and recognizing the humanity of enslaved individuals. The case also raised legal questions about ownership and consent concerning such dehumanizing images, with Massachusetts courts allowing Lanier to pursue emotional damages despite Harvard retaining legal ownership.