Black Family Wins Legal Battle to Reclaim Enslaved Ancestor’s Photos from Harvard

Harvard University has agreed to transfer ownership of troubling 175-year-old photographs of an enslaved father and daughter to an African American history museum in South Carolina. This decision stems from a legal settlement with Tamara Lanier, who claims descent from the subjects of the images.The photographs, captured in 1850 for a project by Louis Agassiz, aimed to support his now-discredited theories on racial superiority. Lanier, who discovered these photos during genealogical research, asserted they depict her ancestors—Renty Taylor and his daughter Delia.Despite challenges, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court acknowledged Lanier’s emotional distress from Harvard's treatment and permitted part of her lawsuit to advance. The images will now be housed in a location that honors their historical significance and humanity.