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Mystery Monday: academic altercation

By Mark Alden Branch ’86 | 7:15am September 08 2025

Today's mystery is for Yale history buffs. What contentious episode from the university's past is portrayed in this stone carving in the nave of Sterling Library?

Filed under Sterling Memorial Library, stone carving, Mystery Monday

2 comments

  • George Huthsteiner '74 TD
    George Huthsteiner '74 TD, 11:13pm September 08 2025 | Ico flag Flag as inappropriate

    <> The people of Saybrook tried to prevent The Collegiate School from moving to New Haven after the Elm City won the honor of hosting what would be Yale College <>

  • Mark Branch
    Mark Branch, 11:59am September 09 2025 | Ico flag Flag as inappropriate

    Correct as usual! The "Battle of the Books" took place in 1718 when Yale moved from Saybrook to New Haven. The people of Saybrook believed the books belonged to the town, and when the sheriff and constables came to take the books, they did everything they could to impede the transfer, including overturning the ox carts carrying the books. About 20 percent of the college's books were lost in the melee.

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