Harvard University has agreed to relinquish centuries-old images of an enslaved man and his daughter to the International African American Museum after a prolonged 15-year legal battle initiated by Tamara Lanier, a descendant of the enslaved man, Renty Taylor. These daguerreotypes, believed to be the earliest photographs of enslaved people in the U.S., were initially commissioned by Louis Agassiz in support of his refuted polygenism theory. While Harvard retains legal ownership, there is hope that the museum can facilitate a broader historical dialogue about the individuals depicted in the images.
"In terms of getting beyond that dispute and towards the goal of liberating these images from Harvard's clutches, my client was willing to forgo a battle over 'ownership.'"
"The International African American Museum is 'incredibly proud' to add the daguerreotypes to its collection."
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