Robert Robinson Taylor

Robert Robinson Taylor was born in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1868 and was a architect and educator. He came from a privileged family which his dad and mom were former slaves. He built strong basic construction and carpentry skills from his carpenter father. With the sponsorship from American Missionary Association, he went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he developed necessary skills in architecture. He was the first African American student as well as the first black graduate of MIT.

After graduation, Taylor went to work an architectural form where he put his skills into practice and designed several buildings. Then, he was recruited by Booker T. Washington, who was the founder of Tuskegee Institute, one of the best-known African-American schools, and helped African-American to acquire practical skills for jobs. Taylor conducted the industrial program teaching mechanical drawing and directed the construction of buildings for the campus.

Science Hall, 1893

During his career in Tuskegee, Taylor designed more than two dozen buildings on the campus, including Ellen Curtis Hall, Sage Hall, White Hall, and Tompkins Hall. He aimed to provide more healthy living environment for the African-American community. His buildings on campus also gave institutional belongings and ownerships to the black. The first building he built with the students was the science hall. It demonstrated his thesis of not only focusing on manual art, but also the thinking and planning process. It also showed the capabilities of blacks in the construction trades. Among the buildings he designed and built for the campus, Chapel was considered the best. It has dual entrances for boys and girls and the high-arched hammer-beam trusses. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a fire in 1957.

The Interior of the Chapel, 1899

Taylor's contribution and diligence to Tuskegee and the African-American community was beyond describe. MIT endowed Chair and established the Robert R. Taylor (1892) Fellowship in the School of Architecture + Planning. Tuskegee also name the

School of Architecture & Construction Science under his name. His achievements of the buildings on campus inspired the future generations to become professionals through building not only the structures but the community and meaningful places for people.

Written by Ariel Chiang

References

https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/robert-r-taylor

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/taylor-robert-robinson-1868-1942/

http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3252

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