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.


Did You Know...?Most of Princeton's founding trustees bought, sold, traded, or inherited slaves.
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News & Events
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Student Origins Heat Map
An interactive map of the origins of Princeton undergraduates, from the class of 1748 to the class of 1865.
Featured Source
James C. Johnson with goods for sale
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Photograph of former slave James Collins Johnson vending his wares on campus.