Harvard Law School retires racist symbol

Harvard Law School has decided to retire its official trademark symbol that had ties to a wealthy slave-owner. The Royal family symbol was adopted at Harvard in 1936. The school is acting swiftly in the wake of its decision Monday to retire the school’s official symbol because of its ties to a slave-owning benefactor. By Tuesday, the school had already excised it from Facebook and other social media platforms, and has promised to remove all physical traces of the racially charged family crest—on plaques, chairs, doormats, letterhead—by mid-April. On Monday, Harvard Corporation approved the decision made by a Committee of nine people, including HLS professors, students, and alumni, which they justified in an 11-page report.  

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - Harvard Law School (HLS) has decided to retire its official trademark symbol that had ties to a wealthy slave-owner.

The Royall family symbol was adopted by Harvard in 1936. The school is acting swiftly in the wake of its decision on Monday (March 14) to retire the school's official symbol because of its ties to a slave-owning benefactor.

By Tuesday, the school had already excised it from Facebook and other social media platforms, and has promised to remove all physical traces of the racially-charged family crest - on plaques, chairs, doormats and letterheads - by mid-April.

Harvard Corporation has approved the decision made by a Committee of nine people, including HLS professors, students, and alumni, which they justified in an 11-page report.

See more on

Education and schools

Universities - overseas

Race issues