Johns Hopkins, Long Believed An Abolitionist, Actually Owned Slaves, University Says
Researchers found census records showing the entrepreneur and philanthropist owned slaves as late as 1850, contrary to the long-held belief that his family freed all slaves when he was a boy.
Historians for Johns Hopkins University discovered that the founder of the Baltimore-based school owned slaves, contrary to the long-held belief that the wealthy philanthropist was a staunch abolitionist.
Researchers Martha S. Jones and Allison Seyler made the discovery after delving into previously undiscovered government census records as part of a university-led project on the school's history.
The findings "complicate the understanding"Wednesday.
