Background
Taylor was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, the son of William Taylor, a merchant, and Martha, nee Kirkwood.
Taylor was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, the son of William Taylor, a merchant, and Martha, nee Kirkwood.
Taylor junior was educated at the High School of Glasgow.
Taylor decided to emigrate and arrived in the Portuguese Phillip District on 7 August 1840. Taylor was elected to the seat of Wimmera in on 16 August 1854, replacing William Splatt who resigned. Taylor was sworn-in in September remained a member until the original Council was abolished in March 1856.
Taylor was elected to the Southern Province of the new Legislative Council in April 1864, a seat he held until September 1866.
Taylor was president of the Keilor shire council 1874-1882 and 1884-1894.
Taylor was a director of the Union Mortgage & Agency Company He also was a member of the Ormond College council, donating £200 and creating a scholarship for the College.