Appendix 1: Namesakes of Yale Residential Colleges

Name Public Positions on Slavery Yale Honors New Haven Honors
John Davenport
(1597-1669)
Founder of New Haven
Slave Owner Davenport College Davenport Ave
Abraham Pierson
(1645-1707)
First Rector of Yale
Unknown Pierson College None
Jonathan Edwards
(1703-1758)
Preacher, theologian
Slave Owner Jonathan Edwards College None
George Berkeley
(1685-1753)
Famous philosopher
Slave Owner. Donated a slave-worked Rhode Island plantation, the profits from which endowed the first Yale Scholarship. Publishes and preaches in favor of slavery. Tries but fails to establish college in Bermuda, for which he advocates kidnapping Native American children. Berkeley College None
Jonathan Trumbull
(1710-1785)
Connecticut Governor
Slave Owner. Presided over Connecticut while slavery at its peak, but also during its decline. Trumbull College None
Ezra Stiles
(1727-1795)
President of Yale
Slave Owner, but also preached against slave trade in Newport. Later, presides over society that enforces gradual emancipation law. Stiles College None
Timothy Dwight
(1752-1817)
President of Yale
Slave Owner. Defends American slavery, but attacks slave trade and slavery in Britain and West Indies. During his tenure, Yale graduates more pro-slavery clergy than any other college. Timothy Dwight College*
Dwight Hall* 
Dwight Street
Dwight School
Dwight Neighborhood
Benjamin Silliman
(1779-1864)
Scientist & Yale Faculty
"Statutory Slave" Owner. Later a colonizationist. Supported 1831 rejection of "Negro college" in New Haven. Silliman College
None
John C. Calhoun
(1782-1850)
U.S. Vice President
Slave Owner, and plantation master. Uses 40 years of national political power to advocate preservation and expansion of States' rights, and slavery, throughout the nation. Criticizes idea of democratic equality. Calhoun College None
Samuel F. B. Morse
(1791-1872)
Inventor of the Telegraph
Publishes that slavery is a positive good, ordained by God and the Bible. Abolitionists should be excommunicated. Attacks Lincoln and Declaration of Independence. Morse College None

* Timothy Dwight College and Dwight Hall are each named after both the Timothy Dwight named here and his grandson, Timothy Dwight, who became Yale's president in 1881

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Appendix 2: Other Yale Leaders | Back to Summary