Ann Saville, founder of Taylor Books, dies at 90

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Founder of Taylor Books, a bookstore in downtown Charleston, has died.

Ann Saville, 90, died at midnight on Monday, six days before her 91st birthday.

Saville’s son said she passed away after an extended illness.

Saville was born in 1934 in southeast London, England and grew up with four brothers.

Her and her husband Dr. Paul Saville moved to Charleston in 1975. She earned a psychology degree from Morris Harvey College and a teaching degree at the University of Charleston.

She opened, Taylor Books in 1995 after she purchased a run-down Capitol Street building. The bookstore also operates as a coffee-shop, art gallery, micro-cinema, bakery, and gathering place.

Saville also opened Charleston Brewing Co., Charleston’s first brewpub, at 79.

She is survived by her five children, Ted, John, Sarah, George, and David.