Larry Summers and Harvard
Lawrence H. Summers served as the 27th President of Harvard University from 2001 to 2006. He later served as Director of the National Economic Council under President Obama and has been one of the most prominent economists of his generation.
The Epstein-Harvard Relationship Under Summers
During Summers’ presidency, Harvard’s relationship with Epstein deepened:
- Epstein donated an estimated $6.5 million to Harvard
- He was given a visiting fellow position at the Department of Psychology
- Meetings were arranged between Epstein and senior Harvard faculty
- Epstein used his Harvard associations to gain legitimacy with other donors and institutions
Summers-Epstein Meetings
Summers met with Epstein during this period. The nature and frequency of these meetings have been subjects of inquiry by journalists and Harvard alumni. After Epstein’s 2019 death, Summers declined to provide detailed accounts of their interactions.
Harvard’s Reckoning
Following Epstein’s 2019 arrest and death, Harvard commissioned a review of its relationship with Epstein. The 2020 review found that Harvard had received substantial funds and provided institutional access without adequate due diligence.
Harvard announced it would donate $200,000 — equivalent to post-2008 donations — to organizations supporting survivors of sexual abuse.
Summers’ Later Statements
Summers has publicly stated that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal behavior and that contacts were made in Epstein’s capacity as a philanthropist. He expressed regret for not asking “harder questions.”