About

History

In 1930, Annie Sinton Taft made a generous $2,000,000 endowment for, "the study and teaching of 'the Humanities' in the College of Liberal Arts and Graduate school of the University of Cincinnati," in honor of her late husband Charles Phelps Taft, "whose interest in the advance of culture and art included an especial interest in the progress of the University of Cincinnati, and a real enthusiasm for those studies which relate to the improvement of the mind than to physical and material betterment." Her desire was, in her words, “bring about a concentration of interest upon that group of ideas which are generally known as 'The Humanities,' hoping others may be inspired to join in the same work or other work of the University." She believed there was "a lack of emphasis on the value of thought and conduct and character", and to this end, she sought to fuel 'The Humanities', focusing on "the development of ideas, of thought and of character."

Between 1930 and 2004, the Charles Phelps Taft Memorial Fund provided monies from the endowment to UC faculty and students, towards the above purpose. In 2005, Taft gained an institution presence as the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center at the University of Cincinnati. Our mission is to realize the vision of Annie Sinton Taft, funding excellent humanities scholarship in order to expand our minds and the conceivable.

Members of the Taft family continue to serve as trustees of the endowment, ensuring long term security over the fund.


4.1931

Anna Sinton Taft
1902
49 1/4 x 38 1/8 in. (125.1 x 96.84 cm), oil on canvas
Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (Spanish, 1841–1920)
Bequest of Charles Phelps Taft and Anna Sinton Taft

Seated in an airy landscape, Anna Sinton Taft (1850–1931) wears a lace-trimmed white gown and pearls—gems more valuable than diamonds at the turn of the 20th century. Anna’s inheritance (equal to over $600 million today) made her the wealthiest woman in Ohio and enabled her and her husband Charles to become art collectors and philanthropists. The Tafts supported the Cincinnati Art Museum, Symphony Orchestra, Opera, Conservatory of Music, and Zoo, in addition to founding the Taft Museum of Art. Upon Anna’s death, the Cincinnati Times-Star praised “the high plane on which she strove to place our community in music, education, and the fine arts.”

Image and description courtesy of the Taft Museum of Art


3.1931

Charles Phelps Taft
1902
49 1/8 x 38 1/4 in. (124.78 x 97.16 cm), oil on canvas
Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (Spanish, 1841–1920)
Bequest of Charles Phelps Taft and Anna Sinton Taft

Raimundo de Madrazo portrayed Charles Phelps Taft (1843–1929) as a distinguished businessman wearing a dark suit and pocket watch. Charles earned a law degree and doctorate, served in the Ohio state legislature and in Congress, and supported his half-brother William Howard Taft’s successful election as President of the United States. As owner/editor of the Cincinnati Times-Star, Charles also championed cultural and philanthropic causes. In 1927, the Tafts bequeathed their home and art collection to the people of Cincinnati and established an endowment (now known as ArtsWave) to support local arts organizations, including the future museum that would bear their name.

Image and description courtesy of the Taft Museum of Art


Membership Model

The Charles Phelps Taft Research Center at the University of Cincinnati has a unique membership model. While our many of our programs and events are public-facing and open to the broader university community, funding for undergraduate, graduate, and faculty scholarship in the humanities and social sciences is restricted to the following Uptown Campus units, their tenure-track faculty and students pursuing major courses of study offered therein: 


Leadership

The Faculty Executive Board of the Charles Phelps Taft Memorial Fund (Humanities) oversees all programs associated with the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center. This body has policy-making and administrative responsibilities for planning and executing activities and programs that fulfill the purpose of the fund. The Director of the Taft Research Center serves as the Faculty Chair of the Executive Board. 

  • Jeff Blevins, School of Public and International Affairs 
  • Letisha Brown, Sociology
  • Lenisa Chang, Economics 
  • Chandra Frank, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  • Eric Jenkins, School of Communication, Film & Media Studies
  • Cassandra Jones, Africana Studies
  • Matthew Kraus, Judaic Studies
  • Benjamin LaPoe, Journalism 
  • Sharrell Luckett, English
  • Heather Norton, Anthropology 
  • Tanja Nusser, Asian, East European & German Studies
  • Tom Polger, Philosophy
  • Stephanie Sadre-Orafai, Taft Faculty Chair
  • Leonid Slavin, Mathematical Science
  • Patricia Valladares-Ruiz, Romance & Arabic Languages and Literatures
  • Xia Wang, Mathematical Sciences
  • Jeffrey Zalar, History 

Ex-Officio Members

  • Neville Pinto, President, University of Cincinnati
  • John Weidner, Interim Provost, University of Cincinnati
  • Pat Limbach, Vice President for Research
  • Ryan White, Interim Dean, Graduate School
  • James Mack, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

The Taft Faculty Executive board will meet on the following Wednesdays, 10am–noon, during the 2025–26 academic year: September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, and April 8. These are closed meetings. 

Previous Directors include Frank W. Chandler (1930–44), Robert Shafer (1944–46), Edwin H. Zeydel (1946–61), Cedric Boutler (1961–72), Arnold Schrier (1973–89), Judy Muyskens (1989-94), Barbara Ramusack (1994–98), Chris McCord (1998–2003), Richard Harknett (2003–08), Jana Evans Braziel (2008–12), Adrian Parr (2013–18), and Amy Lind (2019–24). Stephanie Sadre-Orafai is the current Director and Faculty Chair. 


Bylaws

The Bylaws of the Faculty Executive Board of The Charles Phelps Taft Memorial Fund (Humanities) were first approved May 6, 1991, and then amended: May 3, 1993; April 7, 2003; November 1, 2004; March 5, 2007; December 3, 2007 September 20, 2009; August 15, 2011; October 1, 2012; February 12, 2013; October 30, 2017; March 5, 2018; March 16, 2018; October 23, 2019; March 4, 2020; November 3, 2021; November 9, 2022; and May 14, 2024.

 

Bylaws
Name
Purpose
Taft Fund Trustees and the Faculty Executive Board
Chairs and Officers
Taft Departments and Eligible Faculty
Budget
Board Meetings
Taft Faculty Committees
Amendments