George V. Taylor

During my undergraduate and graduate studies at UNC,Dr. Taylor was for me a personification of what I thought the study and teaching of history should be. I treasure the memory of the three courses I took with him, especially his historiography course required of all graduate students who weren't specializing in U.S. history, and the note in this Guest Book from Richard Gitelson captures something of what a class with him was like. He was a rigorous but compassionate member of my doctoral...

I am very proud to have George Taylor as my uncle-in-law. Although I didn't know him well because I have always lived in Oregon and California, I have always been aware of his scholarship, pride in his profession and his dedication to his students and family. I have also admired his family's dedication to keeping him in the mainstream as much as possible in his later declining years. Loss is always hard. I send my greetings and love to my Aunt Margaret and cousins.

I knew Dr. Taylor in his capacity as one of the founding members of the Chapel Hill Alliance of Neighborhoods. He cared deeply about the town, and, like others in the Alliance, thought that Chapel Hill was growing too big, too fast. His leadership in the Alliance was pivotal in getting like-minded people elected to Town Council "to slow things down." He also had a great sense of humor which I enjoyed. He will be missed, but he made his mark in many areas of human endeavor.

I took a course from Dr. Taylor on the French Revolution. He was fascinating to listen to, not only because of his great voice, but because he made the material come to life. Most importantly, when he took the cigar out of his pocket at the end of class (not to smoke, but as a symbol that the formal part of class was over), you knew he was going to let you ask questions. Now, as a professor, I don't take out a cigar, but at the end of class, I ask if there are any questions. Invariably,...

I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Taylor's death. He was a lovely gentleman and a stimulating lecturer as well as a major scholar of the French Revolution. I had two memorable graduate courses with him and he became my favorite professor.