Howard Francis Taylor, an emeritus professor of sociology and a pioneering scholar on race and intelligence testing, died on March 21, 2023. He was 83.
Howard Francis Taylor, an emeritus professor of sociology and a pioneering scholar on race and intelligence testing, died on March 21, 2023. He was 83.
I write this in loving memory of Dr. Howard Taylor. My fondest memories of Howard in the classroom was as his Sociology Research Methods teaching assistant. I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how he masterfully leveraged his expertise to ignite the flames of critical thinking within his students’ hearts. He nurtured a good-humored yet intellectual environment that encouraged us all to question the status quo, challenge conventional norms, and strive for a more equitable world. In his classes or at local eateries around town like the Annex or Hoagie Haven, amongst undergraduate or graduate students, he fostered captivating arenas of lively debates, where intellectual curiosity flourished under his gentle guidance.
Howard had an extraordinary talent for valuing our unique perspectives and experiences while also encouraging us to apply our knowledge conscientiously to address pressing societal challenges. When I look back on how he inspired my research and those of the students in his classes, I see a common thread among us to use the sociological imagination to empower voices often silenced by society or to expand access to opportunities for marginalized populations.
As I bid farewell to a remarkable scholar and compassionate human being, I want to send heartfelt condolences to his wife Pat and his family. I will cherish the legacy Dr. Howard Taylor leaves behind. His commitment to promoting critical thinking and empowering young people to use their intellect as a force for good will continue to resonate from his students to their students and for generations to come. Rest in peace and power, dear mentor; I’ll see you at the crossroads.
Donnell J. Butler, Ph.D. *09
Howard was my thesis advisor in 1981. He was able to get me to take my thesis seriously, while still letting me fly on my own without a lot of interference. My topic was unusual. I don’t believe anyone had done this kind of work on Rastafarianism at Princeton before. I’m not sure Howard really knew about them, but he was patient. He made sure my thesis would be able to withstand scrutiny. He stressed the importance of attribution and direct sources. He helped me figure out how to add sources that sociologists would trust. I think I knew he had passed, but this is an opportunity for me to give him a thank you. Rest in Power….❤️
I was a graduate student in the Sociology Dept when Howard was teaching his sociology classes. I met him in Green Hall (he was nearly always there) and once we became a bit acquainted, he asked me to be his teaching assistant. I went to all of the Howard’s lectures because he was my boss and more than that, he was a great lecturer. He was personable, comfortable on stage and happy when surrounded by students. What a great introduction to teaching! Later, I introduced him to my father from rural Ohio, and the two Ohioans became very fond of each other. Howard was a one-of-kind-professor, and a wonderful person. My sincere condolences to Pat, their daughter and all their relatives.
Professor Taylor was one of my favorite professors at Princeton. Although I only took one class with him, I learned so much from such a gifted and engaging scholar. Condolences to family and friends.
Howie was a dear friend during my first year at Hiram College (1960-61). Without his love and friendship and encouragement I would not have been able to even survive. He took me to many jazz clubs in Cleveland and I often stayed at his parents’ home for weekends. The Taylors were a lovely family who always welcomed me. I regret we didn’t have contact over the years, but I’m so proud of him. I knew he would become a teacher and professor. It was in his blood to always share and help others understand humanity. He was a fabulous jazz drummer who introduced me to jazz. I’m sorry that wasn’t mentioned in his obituary. He was a wonderful, caring human being – so loved by all at Hiram College.
I knew Howie at Hiram College and on gather showboat Majestic where he played drums and I acted and sang. We both loved jazz and I remember one memorable night whew Howie, Linda Price sand I went to hear Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers at the Fairmount (correct name?) in Pittsburgh. Blankety sat with us between sets and Howie and he talked about drumming. It was magical. I remember too Howie telling us that when she was young, his mother dated Langston Hughes. Isn’t that grand?
I dropped out of touch with Howie for decades, then reunited in gather late 90s (?), early 200s (?) at a Hiram reunion. Some time later, he wrote me about a review I’d posted about Dave Brubeck to tell me I was spot on. (I was critical, mostly about Brubeck’s defective sense of time and occasionally over heavy hands.)
I really liked Howie. I miss him.