Chapter Taylor to Taylor of T by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Taylor to Taylor

Taylor, Sir Henry (1800-1886).—Dramatist, son of a gentleman farmer in the country of Durham. After being at sea for some months and in the Naval Stores Department, he became a clerk in the Colonial Office, and remained there for 48 years, during which he exercised considerable influence on the colonial policy of the Empire. In 1872 he was made K.C.M.G. He wrote four tragedies—Isaac Comnenus (1827), Philip van Artevelde (1834), Edwin the Fair (1842), and St. Clement’s Eve (1862); also a romantic comedy. The Virgin Widow, which he renamed A Sicilian Summer, The Eve of the Conquest and other Poems (1847). In prose he published The Statesman (1836), Notes from Life (1847), Notes from Books (1849), and an Autobiography. Of all these Philip van Artevelde was perhaps the most successful. Taylor was a man of great ability and distinction, but his dramas, with many of the qualities of good poetry, lack the final touch of genius.

Taylor, Isaac (1787-1865).—Philosophical and historical writer, artist, and inventor, was the most eminent member of a family known as the Taylors of Ongar, which has shown a remarkable persistence of ability in various departments, but especially in art and literature. His grandfather and father, who bore the same name, were both eminent engravers, and the latter was the author of various books for children. Taylor was brought up to the hereditary art of engraving, in which he displayed pre-eminent skill, his work gaining the admiration of D.G. Rossetti. He decided, however, to devote himself to literature, and for 40 years continued to produce works of originality and value, including Elements of Thought (1823), Natural History of Enthusiasm (1829), Spiritual Despotism (1831), Ancient Christianity (1839), Restoration of Belief (1855), The Physical Theory of Another Life, History of Transmission of Ancient Books, and Home Education, besides numerous contributions to reviews and other periodicals. Besides his literary and artistic accomplishments Taylor was an important inventor, two of his inventions having done much to develop the manufacture of calico. Two of his sisters had considerable literary reputation. Ann Taylor, afterwards Mrs. Gilbert (1782-1866), and Jane (1783-1824) were, like their brother, taught the art of engraving. In 1804-5 they jointly wrote Original Poems for Infant Minds, followed by Rhymes for the Nursery and Hymns for Infant Minds. Among those are the little poems, “My Mother” and “Twinkle, twinkle, little Star,” known to all well-conditioned children. Jane was also the author of Display, a tale (1815), and other works, including several hymns, of which the best known is “Lord, I would own Thy tender Care.” The hereditary talents of the family were represented in the next generation by Canon Isaac Taylor (1829-1901), the son of Isaac last mentioned, who, in addition to The Liturgy and the Dissenters, published works in philology and archæology, including Words and Places and Etruscan Researches; and by Josiah Gilbert, son of Ann Taylor, an accomplished artist, and author of The Dolomite Mountains, Cadore, or Titian’s Country, and editor of the Autobiography of his mother.

Taylor, Jeremy (1613-1667).—Divine, was born at Cambridge His father, though of gentle descent, followed the trade of a barber, and Jeremy entered Caius College as a sizar. After his graduation in 1634 he was asked to preach in London, where his eloquence attracted the attention of Laud, who sent him to Oxford, caused him to be elected a Fellow of All Souls College, and made him his chaplain. He also became a chaplain to the King, and soon attaining a great reputation as a preacher, was presented to the living of Uppingham. In 1639 he married his first wife, and in 1643 he was made Rector of Overstone. On the outbreak of the Civil War Taylor sided with the King, and was present, probably as a chaplain, at the battle fought in 1645 near Cardigan Castle, when he was taken prisoner. He was soon released, but the Royalist cause being practically lost, he decided to remain in Wales, and with two friends started a school at Newtonhall, Caermarthenshire, which had some success. Taylor also found a friend in Lord Carbery, whose chaplain he became. During the period of 13 years from 1647-60, which were passed in seeming obscurity, he laid the foundations and raised the structure of his splendid literary fame. The Liberty of Prophesying (that is, of preaching), one of the greatest pleas for toleration in the language, was published in 1647, The Life of Christ in 1649, Holy Living in 1650, and Holy Dying in 1651. These were followed by various series of sermons, and by The Golden Grove (1655), a manual of devotion which received its title from the name of the seat of his friend Lord Carbery. For some remarks against the existing authorities Taylor suffered a short imprisonment, and some controversial tracts on Original Sin, Unum Necessarium (the one thing needful), and The Doctrine and Practice of Repentance involved him in a controversy of some warmth in which he was attacked by both High Churchmen and Calvinists. While in Wales Taylor had entered into a second marriage with a lady of some property which, however,