Fact Check: Harvard's history includes enslaved labor in campus buildings and leadership.

Fact Check: Harvard's History Includes Enslaved Labor in Campus Buildings and Leadership

What We Know

Recent investigations have confirmed that Harvard University has a complex and troubling history involving slavery. According to a report by the Presidential Committee on Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery, released in April 2022, over 70 individuals were enslaved by Harvard presidents, faculty, and staff from the university's founding in 1636 until the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts in 1783. Some of these enslaved individuals worked directly on campus, performing various labor tasks that supported the university's operations (Harvard Gazette [source-1], Radcliffe Institute [source-2]).

The report also highlights that significant financial contributions to Harvard came from donors whose wealth was derived from the slave trade and slavery-dependent industries, such as sugar and cotton (Harvard Gazette [source-1]). This financial support was critical in transforming Harvard into a prestigious institution, indicating that the university's rise was inextricably linked to its historical ties to slavery (Radcliffe Institute [source-2]).

Analysis

The evidence presented in the report is substantial and well-documented, drawing from historical records that detail the involvement of Harvard's leadership in the institution of slavery. The committee's findings are based on a comprehensive review of archival materials, which include records of enslaved individuals who served Harvard presidents and faculty, as well as documentation of donations from slave traders (Radcliffe Institute [source-2], Harvard College [source-5]).

The credibility of the sources is reinforced by the involvement of reputable scholars and historians in the committee, such as Tomiko Brown-Nagin and Annette Gordon-Reed, who have significant expertise in American history and civil rights (Harvard Gazette [source-1]). Furthermore, the report aligns with broader historical research on the role of slavery in American institutions, making it a reliable source of information.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that some may view the report through a critical lens, questioning the motivations behind its release or the implications of its findings. Nonetheless, the thoroughness of the research and the transparency of the committee's process lend significant weight to its conclusions.

Conclusion

The claim that "Harvard's history includes enslaved labor in campus buildings and leadership" is True. The evidence presented in the report clearly establishes that enslaved individuals were integral to the university's operations and that the institution's growth was significantly supported by funds derived from slavery. This acknowledgment is part of Harvard's ongoing effort to confront its historical complicity in slavery and its lasting impacts on the university and society at large.

Fact Check: Harvard's history includes enslaved labor in campus buildings and leadership.