Harvard University has agreed to transfer ownership of the historic Zealy Daguerreotypes, 175-year-old images of enslaved individuals, to the descendants of those featured in the photographs. This decision concludes a legal battle initiated by Tamara Lanier, a direct descendant of Renty and his daughter Delia, who appear in the images. The settlement also involves the transfer of five additional images of enslaved people to South Carolina, where they will be publicly displayed. Harvard’s director of media relations, James Chisholm, emphasized the importance of this resolution in providing appropriate historical context and enhancing public access to these significant cultural artifacts.
The legal efforts leading to this outcome were led by prominent civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Josh Koskoff, marking a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about the legacy of slavery and the representation of historical artifacts. For additional information, read the full account on the Connecticut Law Tribune.