Larry Summers has resigned from his Harvard teaching posts amid renewed scrutiny over his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Resignation Details
He announced that he will step down from his professorship and other faculty appointments at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.
Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton confirmed Summers will remain on leave and will not resume teaching or accept new advisees through the end of the academic year.
Summers also relinquished his role as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Kennedy School.
Origins of the Scrutiny
The move follows documents released by House lawmakers that revealed emails and communications with Epstein showing a closer relationship than had been publicly reported.
The emails showed Summers continued corresponding with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and sought personal advice, at times referring to Epstein as a “very good wingman.”
Summers has not been accused of involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities and has conceded they were friends and social acquaintances.
Connections During Harvard Presidency
Their association dated to Summers’s Harvard presidency from 2001 to 2006 when Epstein had an office at the university and pledged $25 million toward a program.
Summers also flew on Epstein’s private plane multiple times while he was president.
Earlier Controversies and Apology
Earlier Summers described his continued contact after 2008 as a major error in judgment and said he was deeply ashamed and took responsibility.
He served as Harvard’s 27th president from July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2006 and later returned as the Charles W. Eliot University Professor.
His presidency included efforts to expand international programs and investments in science and engineering but was also marked by controversies and a faculty no-confidence vote.
Summers stepped down as president in February 2006 and took a paid sabbatical before resuming a faculty role.
