The lasting legacy of alumnus Dr Paul Taylor
A bright man with a love for music and brass bands alongside his passion for science, Paul spent his life devoted to the study and practice of chemistry. Now his legacy will live on through a generous gift to the University left in his Will.
Dr Paul Taylor was born near Aston in September 1964, and spent his early life in Sheffield. He was always incredibly bright and excelled at school both academically and musically. He had a specific love of brass bands, and as a teenager played the Euphonium and Cornet in the Sheffield Brass Band.
Outside of school, Paul was much like any other child: enjoying baked goods made by his family, holidays to Bridlington and, perhaps more unusually, riding in the sidecar of the family motorbike!
Sheffield remained an important place in Paul’s life well into adulthood - it became his university town as well as his hometown. His study of Chemistry both at undergraduate and postgraduate level would pave the way for his future career in research and academia.
During his time at the University, Paul was particularly inspired by Dr D Neville Jones and Dr Mark Winter's equal enthusiasm for his chosen subject, in which he would graduate with a BSc Chemistry Honours in 1986. This was followed by a PhD in Chemistry in 1990.
After graduating, Paul began his career as a teacher and trained at Keele University. He went on to spend a year at the University of Phoenix in Arizona, and also worked as a Research Chemist at the University of Hull. His commitment to the teaching and development of chemistry is undeniable, and a commendable dedication to the science.
Paul’s Legacy
When Paul sadly passed away in February 2023, he had written a generous gift into his Will towards scholarships for students facing hardship in the Department of Chemistry. By contributing towards scholarships for prospective students, Paul has allowed more people to feel that university is a tangible path for them.
Scholarships at the University of Sheffield truly do change lives. These are students that come from lower income backgrounds, often from families where they are the first to attend university, and equally often not in a position to receive any support from home.
Higher education can completely change the course of these students' lives - and, through the kindness of people like Paul, more and more students are able to access this remarkable opportunity.
It’s difficult to convey how much my scholarship meant to me and to my family. When your bank balance comes down to pennies, every single penny makes a difference. It really does.
Richard Vyse
LLB Law 2017, LLM Law 2018
We are incredibly grateful to Paul for thinking of the University of Sheffield in his estate planning, and for so generously supporting students with a gift in his Will. His legacy will live on through their positive impact on the world now, and long into the future.
Leaving a gift in your Will or making a donation now
If you would like further information about supporting the University now or in the future, please contact David Meadows. David is our Senior Philanthropy Manager for Legacies, and a Sheffield graduate himself. He would love to have a confidential chat with you about supporting the University.
Telephone: 0114 222 1073
Email: d.meadows@sheffield.ac.uk