An exploration of Princeton University’s historical ties to the institution of slavery
About the Project
Princeton University, founded as the College of New Jersey in 1746, exemplifies the central paradox of American history. From the start, liberty and slavery were intertwined. The Princeton & Slavery Project investigates the University’s involvement with the institution of slavery and ongoing legacies of institutional racism. We invite you to explore the many stories and sources included here and to contact us with research, stories, and ideas of your own.
News & Events
See All News & EventsFeatured Stories
Princeton’s Civil War Memorial
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Nassau Hall’s memorial atrium—built in the 1920s—reflects the era’s reconciliationist politics, erasing the role of slavery and emancipation in the Civil War and granting moral equivalency to the Union and Confederate causes.
Joseph Henry and Sam Parker
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Joseph Henry spent fourteen years at the College of New Jersey, serving as Chair of Natural History between 1832 and 1846. Sam Parker, his assistant, was a free Black man.
Featured Visualization
Southern Student Population
An interactive chart showing the proportion of southern students in each graduating class, from the class 1748 to the class of 1865.
Featured Source
"Rev. I. W. L. Roundtree Has Risen From Slavery's Estate"
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Newspaper article profiling I. W. L. Roundtree, a late-19th century Princeton graduate who was born a slave.