The uncomfortable legacy behind America's oldest continuous law school
In short: Harvard Law School is a titan of legal education, but its foundation rests on a dark paradox. While it shaped the minds of US presidents, the very funds that established its first professorship were built on the labor of enslaved people.
Founded in 1817, Harvard Law School (HLS) holds the distinction of being the longest-running law school in the United States. However, the school's financial origins are deeply intertwined with the institution of slavery. The first endowed professorship in law was made possible by a bequest from Isaac Royall Jr., a merchant and slave trader who fled to Nova Scotia during the American Revolution. The income from Royall's Massachusetts landholdings provided the necessary funds to establish the Royall Chair of Law in 1815.
This connection became a point of intense institutional reckoning in recent years. For decades, the school's emblem featured the Royall family coat of arms, which included three stacked wheat sheaves. Following student-led protests and investigations into the school's ties to slavery during the 2010s, the university decided to retire the shield in March 2016. The decision was driven by the realization that the emblem was inconsistent with the school's modern values.
In August 2021, HLS introduced a new emblem. Moving away from the Royall imagery, the new design incorporates the Latin phrase 'Lex et Iustitia' (law and justice) alongside the university's 'Veritas' motto. The design uses radial lines inspired by the architecture of Austin and Hauser Halls to symbolize the global reach and complexity of the legal profession. This shift represents a broader effort to acknowledge the school's history, including the installation of a plaque that honors the enslaved individuals whose labor helped found the institution.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Harvard Law School
- Also: www.harvard.edu — Law - Harvard University
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-harvard-law-school.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Traditions & customs · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
