4. I Could See Family In His Eyes

When Louis Agassiz was a professor at Harvard promoting the theory of polygenism, he commissioned a North Carolina daguerreotypist to take pictures of enslaved, African-born people. Almost 200 years later, Harvard still has these daguerreotypes in their museum archives. Tamara Lanier says she is a descendant of Renty and Delia, two of the subjects of the daguerreotypes. She has sued Harvard, claiming she is the rightful owner of the images. This is one of several ethical questions the Peabody has faced in recent years. We delve into the Lanier v. Harvard case, and we explore a letter the Association of American Indian Affairs sent Harvard, claiming they are inadequately complying with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
When Louis Agassiz was a professor at Harvard promoting the theory of polygenism, he commissioned a North Carolina daguerreotypist to take pictures of enslaved, African-born people. Almost 200 years later, Harvard still has these daguerreotypes in their museum archives. 

Tamara Lanier says she is a descendant of Renty and Delia, two of the subjects of the daguerreotypes. She has sued Harvard, claiming she is the rightful owner of the images.

This is one of several ethical questions the Peabody has faced in recent years. We delve into the Lanier v. Harvard case, and we explore a letter the Association of American Indian Affairs sent Harvard, claiming they are inadequately complying with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Further Information:
“Five Generations of Renty” by Maya H. McDougall and Garrett W. O’Brien
“Who Should Own Photos of Slaves? The Descendants, not Harvard, a Lawsuit Says” by Anemona Hartocollis
“Native American Nonprofit Accuses Harvard of Violating Federal Graves Protection and Repatriation Act” by Oliver L. Riskin-Kutz
“Peabody Museum Apologizes For Practices Around Native American Cultural Objects, Announces Policy Changes” by Oliver L. Riskin-Kutz
“Completing the Journey: A Graphic Narrative about NAGPRA and Repatriation” by Sonya Atalay and Jen Shannon
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