Duke Historians Ask To Remove Confederate Veteran's Name

Duke University history professors want to remove the name of a benefactor who promoted white supremacist ideas from their department's building.

University spokesman Michael Schoenfeld said Monday the professors asked to rename the Carr Building, where the history department is housed.

Schoenfeld says the request, first reported by The Chronicle student newspaper, will go through a formal process for reconsidering names that gives trustees the final say.

The building is named for Julian Carr, a Confederate veteran and tobacco magnate who gave land where part of Duke was built.

Carr is also known for his 1913 speech at the University of North Carolina's dedication of the Confederate monument known as Silent Sam. During the speech he bragged about whipping a black woman. Protesters tore down Silent Sam last week.