Yale’s apology sparks scrutiny of Elihu Yale’s Slave ties
In the wake of Yale University’s recent formal acknowledgment of its historical ties to slavery, Elihu Yale’s legacy is now subject to thorough scrutiny. Elihu Yale, who held the position of governor-president at the British East India Company in Madras during the 17th century, lends his name to the prestigious Ivy League institution. The university’s apology, following a comprehensive three-year investigation into its tumultuous past, recognizes the contributions of slaves to the construction of Yale’s buildings and the enrichment of influential benefactors. This disclosure is extensively documented in the 448-page book titled “Yale and Slavery: A History,” authored by Yale historian David Blight.
An 18th Century British painting of Elihu Yale in which he’s seen with a child slave
Elihu Yale’s association with the Indian Ocean slave trade is spotlighted, with historians noting his oversight of sales, adjudications, and accountings of enslaved individuals for the East India Company. The investigation emphasizes the vast scale and scope of the Indian Ocean slave trade, which, although not as extensive as the Atlantic trade until the 19th century, covered a larger geographical area, linking Southeast Asia with the Middle East and Africa.
Yale University, founded in 1701 and the third-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, faces the challenge of reconciling its prestigious history with its ties to slavery. Elihu Yale’s substantial gift of £1,162 (equivalent to £206,000 today) played a crucial role in the university’s establishment, leading to the construction of a new building named Yale College in his honor. The university’s apology, while promising efforts to enhance diversity and equity, does not indicate any intention of a name change, rejecting previous calls for such actions.
Born in Boston in 1649, Elihu Yale moved to England at an early age and later arrived in Madras in 1672 as part of the East India Company. His rise through the ranks eventually led to his appointment as governor-president in 1687. Despite being accused of corruption, arbitrary governance, and neglecting duty, Yale returned to England in 1699 as a wealthy man. His legacy is marked by accusations of cruelty, greed, and involvement in the slave trade, particularly during his tenure in Madras.
Elihu Yale arrived at Fort St George, the White colony in Madras, as a young man in 1672 with a clerical job with the East India Company
Historians, including Prof Joseph Yannielli, assert that Elihu Yale’s wealth from slavery was substantial, citing his role in directing the Indian Ocean slave trade during the 1680s. The investigation brings attention to a famous painting from 1719-1721, depicting Yale being served by a collared slave, underscoring the integration of slavery into his daily life.
While some earlier biographers may have downplayed Elihu Yale’s connections to slavery, recent scholars argue that the evidence, now accessible digitally through detailed minutes of East India Company meetings, cannot be overlooked. The debate surrounding Elihu Yale’s legacy raises questions about the intersection of prestigious institutions with historical ties to exploitation and slavery, as institutions grapple with acknowledgment and accountability in the current era.
