Cole, Robert Taylor, 1905-1991.

Robert T. Cole was born in Bald Prairie, Texas and educated at the University of Texas (A.B., 1925, A.M., 1927) and Harvard (Ph.D., 1936). He joined the Duke political science faculty in 1935, specializing in comparative politics, Europe and the British Commonwealth. He served the University as its first Provost from 1960 to 1969, and was James B. Duke Professor of Political Science. He retired in 1975, and died in May of 1991. He was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1945 and the University Medal in 1986.

Robert Taylor Cole was a professor in Duke's Political Science department, specializing in comparative politics, Europe and the British Commonwealth and served as Provost to the University from 1960-1969.