Taylor Sir Henry

Taylor, SIR HENRY (180O-86), man of letters, was born at Bishop-Middleham, in Durham. Early in life he visited Quebec as a midshipman, and held a post in the Storekeeper~General's office, which he lost through reorganisation. Before his twenty-fourth year he had shown his literary capacity in the Quarterly Review. The bent finally given to his genins was in great measure due to the influence of Southey, whose acquaintance he made in 1823. In 1824 he became a clerk in the Colonial Office, his connection with which lasted till 1872. His principal works are his dramas Philip van Artevelde (1834), Isaac Comnenus (1827), and Edwin the Fair (1842), which show much dramatic vigour, historical insight, and power of delineating character. His Autobiography appeared in 1885.