To the Editor:

I read with some dismay the callousness of those who wish to forever wash away the name “Cross Campus” Library. The Bass family was quite generous with their gift, but we should not let renewal erase history.

Contrary to common belief, “Cross Campus” is not a geographic designation. Cross Campus and the library that would follow beneath it were named for Wilbur Lucius Cross, Yale College class of 1885, Ph.D. 1889. Cross served Yale as an English professor and as the first dean of the Graduate School. He also served as governor of the state of Connecticut from 1931-1939.

Let us celebrate the Bass generosity but not forget those who contributed to Yale before, like Gov. Cross.

David Friedman

Oct. 9

Friedman graduated from Yale College in 1994 and Yale Law School 1999.