Trinity College is to change the name of the library currently named after a famous Irish philosopher who was also a slave-owner.
The university has announced that, although it will be “denamed” the Berkeley Library, it will take a “retain-and-explain approach” approach to a stained glass window commemorating George Berkeley.
The library in question was opened in 1967 and is the largest library in Trinity College. In 1978 it was named after George Berkeley, the world-renowned philosopher and former librarian of Trinity College.
Berkeley published some of his most important philosophical works while at Trinity College in the 17th century.
But he was also a slave owner, buying slaves — named Philip, Anthony, Edward, and Agnes Berkeley — to work on his Rhode Island estate, and according to Trinity, he also tried to push the ideology to ones in support of slavery.
The University said: “Today’s decision was taken by the University’s Board following several months of research, analysis and public consultation overseen by the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group, which is considering legacy issues on a case-by-case basis,” reports RTE.
It was said that the nomination did not deny Berkeley’s importance as a distinguished writer, philosopher and intellectual figure and that his philosophical work would continue to be taught at Trinity.
Trinity College has said that a separate process will determine the new name of the library.
“The landscape of a university, especially one as old as Trinity, is not static. Each generation of students and staff deserves a chance to influence decisions”, Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle said, reports RTE.
Dr Doyle said: “In this case, it was our students who called on us to address the issue. We welcome their engagement, and we thank the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group for its assistance in providing evidence-based information to underpin this decision. George Berkeley’s enormous contribution to philosophical thought is not in question. However, it is also clear that he was both an owner of enslaved people and a theorist of slavery and racial discrimination, which is in clear conflict with Trinity’s core values,” reports RTE.
“We are committed to addressing issues around Trinity’s complex legacy, from an evidence-based perspective and on a case-by-case basis,” Prof Eoin O’Sullivan, Senior Dean and Chair of the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group, said, reports RTE.
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