Nelson Ferebee Taylor

Nelson Ferebee Taylor, former Chancellor of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, died today (Feb. 25, 2004) at his home in Chapel Hill.
He was born in Oxford, N.C. on January 24, 1921, youngest of the three sons of Lee C. Taylor and Martha Ferebee Taylor. He attended the Oxford city schools, graduating as Valedictorian of his Senior Class in 1938.
He was the first winner of the Herbert Worth Jackson Scholarship for four years of study in the University at Chapel Hill. While a student at the University, he was President of the University Club, Speaker of the Student Legislature, President of Phi Beta Kappa, and Jason of the Order of the Golden Fleece. He received his A.B. degree in 1942.
He was on active duty in the U.S. Navy from August of 1942 to February of 1946. He served as an officer aboard destroyers in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. He earned nine battle stars, received two Commendations, and was awarded the Bronze Star.
He attended Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 1949. Having won a Rhodes Scholarship, he studied for two years at Oxford University, receiving a B.A. degree in 1951 and an M.A. in 1955.
He practiced law in New York City from 1951 to 1970. In 1958, he became a partner in the firm of Arthur, Dry & Dole - later renamed Arthur, Dry, Kalish, Taylor & Wood. In 1961, he became Associate General Counsel of United States Rubber Company - later renamed Uniroyal, Inc.
In the summer of 1970, he returned to his native state to assume the position of Vice-President for Administration of The University of North Carolina. Then, in 1972, he became Chancellor of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - a post in which he served for eight years.
In 1980, he became Boshamer Professor in the U.N.C. School of Law. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age, he retired on June 30, 1991.
He was awarded the honorary LL.D degree by Elon College in 1973, by Duke University in 1977, and by U.N.C.-Chapel Hill in 1993. In 1983, he was the recipient of the McCall Award for excellence in teaching at the Law School; and, in 1988, he received the Distinguished Service Medal, presented by the U.N.C. General Alumni Association. In November of 2001, he received the William R. Davie Award, presented by the Board of Trustees of the University at Chapel Hill. Because of his efforts while Chancellor to enhance the University's libraries, the main reading room of Davis Library is named in his honor.
He is survived by his wife, Diane Jackson Taylor; four daughters, Louise Taylor Arnold of Tyler, TX, Sarah Taylor Peterson of Chapel Hill, Martha Gregory Taylor of Charlottesville, VA, and Meredith Conley Adams of Charlotte; seven grandchildren, Megan Taylor Arnold, Thomas Wade Arnold, Emily Louise Arnold, Julia Taylor Arnold, William Jefferson Arnold, Lauren Andren Peterson, and Paul Erik Peterson.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 29) at the Chapel of the Cross, in Chapel Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chancellors Scholars Program in the U.N.C. School of Law.