One of the Greatest Names in Sigma, Most Honorable Founder A. Langston Taylor – January 29, 1890 – August 8, 1953
Happy Birthday to our Founder. Both Founder Morse (January 12th) and Founder Taylor (January 29th) were born in January, as was our Great Fraternity. Over the past few years while doing research on our history, I found out some little known facts about Founder Taylor. Here are a few as told to me by Brother Francis L. Hall, who knew Founder Taylor personally:
- The Brothers of Alpha Sigma and Alpha Chapter called Founder Taylor “PROF” short for Professor, they
- said he was always carrying books, papers, folders, brief cases, and that he always read.
- Founder Taylor was very humble and did not like the lime light. He was an advocate for younger brothers
- taking an active role in leading the fraternity.
- He pushed very hard before his death to get the fraternity a National home location.
- His long-time lady was a Zeta by the name of Geneva Sayles. They attended many social and civic functions together. I was told that Soror Sayles passed away in 1998. (I wish that I could have met her!)
- He was a pack-rat, he kept everything, and could tell you where everything was located.
- Although, I do not know what his job was, Bro. Hall told me that Founder Taylor worked at and retired from the Smithsonian Institute.
In 2003-04, I had the opportunity to speak with a distant relative of Founder Taylor who told me that the Taylor Family home in Memphis, Tennessee was at 1907 S. Walk Street. I do not know Memphis, but I understand that S. Walk Street is no longer there, it is now Walker Street, and its near Lemoyne-Owen College.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOUNDER TAYLOR – CONTINUE TO GUIDE US UNDER YOUR SIGMA LIGHT –
Today in Sigma History – January 29, 2008 – THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR MOST HONORABLE FOUNDER.
ps. Many of you have seen these pictures before, but if not, they are RARE. It’s one of the few pictures you will see where our Founder’s were together.