Taft legacy lives on at UC

UC Classics library specialist Shannan Stewart this month led a walking tour of Spring Grove Cemetery to shed light on the family’s storied history and long connections to UC.

“I created this event because I wanted to acknowledge and honor the individuals whose generosity continues to benefit UC generations after the initial bequests,” Stewart said. “To me, these are some of the most fascinating characters in the history of Cincinnati.”

Classics Department Head Jack Davis also participated in the tour.

“We are indeed fortunate for the foresight of William and Louise Taft Semple, who made a financial commitment to continuing excellence in our program, and to the several generations of Taft board members who have managed our endowment so skillfully,” he said. “Their stewardship is all the more important as we enter the second century of our department’s existence at a time of reduced resources being invested in the Humanities globally and nationally.”

The couple personally financed research projects, including the late Carl Blegen’s groundbreaking work at Troy in Turkey and Pylos in Greece. They helped establish an extensive Classics library dedicated to diverse topics such as Greek scholarship and palaeogeography that draws visiting scholars from around the world.

The couple’s only child died of a heart defect at 8.

“I think about him a lot and how, had he survived, he certainly would have inherited millions from his parents,” Stewart said. “Instead, Louise and William Semple invested that money in their community, in UC and especially in its Classics Department. Their impact continues to reverberate for so many.”

Their gifts from the Tafts, Semples and Sintons continue to fund UC Classics research, among other work across the university. Stewart said even her research as a graduate student at UC was partially funded by the Semples’ gift to UC.

UC Classics professor Kathleen Lynch, who took part in the walking tour of the cemetery, said it opened her eyes to the legacy of philanthropy left behind by the family.

“The Classics Department owes everything to the generosity of the family and their particular dedication to arts and humanities,” Lynch said. “It’s a great reminder to appreciate the opportunities we have because of their generosity and commitment to humanities research.