Taylor A. Borradaile
Encyclopedia
Taylor Albert Borradaile (May 15 1885–1977) was an American chemist and one of four founders and the first president of Phi Kappa Tau
fraternity.
Borradaile was born near Camden, Ohio
into a prominent local Quaker family. He came to nearby Miami University
where he became affiliated with a number of non-fraternity men who were attempting to overcome the political alliances of the campus fraternity men that dominated athletics, student government and other actities. He became the first president of the Non-Fraternity Association founded March 17, 1906. This organization evolved into Phi Kappa Tau fraternity which today has more than 80,000 members in chapters across the United States.
He began his career as a teacher in Tipp City, Ohio
and later became involved in chemical sales in Florida
, where he also studied law and was admitted to the Florida bar, without attending law school. In later years he was a chemist in government service in Charleston, West Virginia
and he retired from the Veterans Administration as a chemist. He was an expert on poisons and was regularly hired as an expert witness in trials involving poisons.
Borradaile was not involved in the fraternity he founded for the early part of his life and did not attend a national convention of the fraternity until 1951, though he attended every convention from that time until his death. He was the longest living of the fraternity's four founders, outliving William H. Shideler
by nearly 20 years.
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
fraternity.
Borradaile was born near Camden, Ohio
Camden, Ohio
Camden is a village in Preble County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,302 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
into a prominent local Quaker family. He came to nearby Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
where he became affiliated with a number of non-fraternity men who were attempting to overcome the political alliances of the campus fraternity men that dominated athletics, student government and other actities. He became the first president of the Non-Fraternity Association founded March 17, 1906. This organization evolved into Phi Kappa Tau fraternity which today has more than 80,000 members in chapters across the United States.
He began his career as a teacher in Tipp City, Ohio
Tipp City, Ohio
Tipp City is a city in Miami County, Ohio, United States. The population was 9,689 at the 2010 census. Formerly known as Tippecanoe, and then Tippecanoe City, this town was renamed to Tipp City in 1938 because another town in Ohio was likewise named Tippecanoe...
and later became involved in chemical sales in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, where he also studied law and was admitted to the Florida bar, without attending law school. In later years he was a chemist in government service in Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
and he retired from the Veterans Administration as a chemist. He was an expert on poisons and was regularly hired as an expert witness in trials involving poisons.
Borradaile was not involved in the fraternity he founded for the early part of his life and did not attend a national convention of the fraternity until 1951, though he attended every convention from that time until his death. He was the longest living of the fraternity's four founders, outliving William H. Shideler
William H. Shideler
William Henry "Doc" Shideler was an American geologist who was founder and longtime chair of the department of geology at Miami University and was a founder of the national college fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau.-Early life and education:His family moved to Hamilton, Ohio, when he was quite young...
by nearly 20 years.