Today, we turn our attention to Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to the prestigious Harvard University. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, revered for its academic and research excellence. But beneath this esteemed reputation lies a complex history intertwined with slavery.

The Hidden History of Enslavement at Harvard

Did you know that, between 1636 and 1783, more than 70 individuals were enslaved by Harvard’s leaders, faculty, and staff? This little-known fact only recently came to light in the documentary Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery. Harvard’s involvement with slavery is deep-rooted, beginning with the colonizers who seized Indigenous lands and fueled the institution’s growth through the exploitation of enslaved labor.

One notable figure in this history is Isaac Royall Sr., a wealthy investor in sugar plantations in Antigua. To maintain control, Royall resorted to brutal tactics, including hangings and beheadings of enslaved people. Those who survived were forced to work on his estates, contributing to the wealth that Royall later bequeathed to his son, Isaac Royall Jr. The younger Royall would go on to donate land to Harvard, funding the establishment of the university’s first professorship in law and laying the foundation for Harvard Law School. Harvard’s early growth was, in part, built on “blood money” from slavery—a reality that facilitated its rise to Ivy League status.

Racial Bias in Harvard’s Growth and Legacy

This dark history is not just about Harvard’s physical expansion; it also fostered a culture of systemic racism and inequality. Harvard Medical School, for instance, expelled three Black students, including the notable Martin Delany, due to pressure from white students who threatened to leave rather than study alongside Black peers. Such decisions reveal the racial bias at play within an institution that prided itself on academic excellence.

One of Harvard’s most notable alumni, W.E.B. Du Bois, the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from the university, once reflected on his experience, stating that he “went to Harvard but was not of Harvard.” His sentiment underscores the isolation and exclusion that marginalized individuals have historically experienced within prestigious spaces.

The Exploitation of Black Bodies for Pseudoscience

The horrors of slavery extended far beyond plantation labor. In the 19th century, five African men were forcibly displayed in the Boston Aquarial Gardens as “Wild African Savages.” Tragically, one of these men, a 17-year-old named Sturman Yenghis, took his own life. Instead of a proper burial, his body was donated to Harvard, where it was dissected, and his remains used in racial pseudoscience to “prove” the supposed inferiority of Black people. His remains were displayed in Harvard’s museum—a stark reminder of the exploitation of Black bodies for pseudoscientific purposes.

A Call for Accountability and Healing

Over time, the truth of Harvard’s involvement with slavery has come to light, thanks to student activism and public pressure. The university has taken some steps toward accountability, such as removing offensive statues and installing commemorative plaques. Yet, symbols alone cannot erase trauma or heal generational scars. Meaningful change requires ongoing engagement with our history to understand and address the painful legacies that still shape our society.

As we reflect on Harvard’s past, we honor the memory of the enslaved individuals who contributed, often against their will, to its legacy. True progress involves acknowledging the full story—one that moves beyond chains to a deeper understanding of resilience, resistance, and, ultimately, healing.