Henry Taylor

Date of Birth: October 18, 1800

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: March 27, 1886

Biography

Henry Taylor was an English dramatist and poet, born on October 18, 1800, in Bishop Middleham, County Durham, England. He is best known for his play “Philip van Artevelde,” which was first performed in 1834 and became a significant work in the British dramatic tradition. Taylor began his career in the civil service, joining the Colonial Office in 1824, where he worked for nearly 50 years. His literary contributions include not just drama, but also poetry and essays, through which he explored themes of heroism, human nature, and morality. Taylor’s works received considerable acclaim during his lifetime, and he was regarded as a significant figure in Victorian literature. He was friends with several prominent literary figures of his time, including William Wordsworth and Alfred Lord Tennyson. Despite the challenges of balancing his civil service duties with his literary pursuits, Taylor managed to leave a lasting impact on English literature. He passed away on March 27, 1886, in London, England.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry Taylor

1. Henry Taylor’s play “Philip van Artevelde” was inspired by the historical figure Philip van Artevelde, a 14th-century Flemish statesman.

2. Taylor’s work in the Colonial Office involved him in significant policy decisions regarding British colonies, particularly in areas related to governance and administration.

3. He was knighted in 1869 for his contributions to the civil service.

4. Taylor was a close friend of Alfred Lord Tennyson, and their correspondence reveals much about the literary culture of the Victorian era.

5. He wrote an influential essay titled “The Statesman,” which outlines the qualities of an ideal public servant and was widely read in his time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry Taylor

1. “Anxiety is the poison of human life; the parent of many sins and of more miseries.”

2. “He who gives what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity; for the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice.”

3. “The world knows nothing of its greatest men.”

4. “Shadows are in reality, when the sun is shining.”

5. “Conscience was a thing which to a certain extent he could trust, for it was a part of his nature; but he could never trust his imagination.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Henry Taylor during his lifetime is not precisely documented. However, his knighthood and long career in the civil service indicate a comfortable financial status, complemented by earnings from his literary works.

Children

Henry Taylor married Theodosia Alice Spring Rice, the daughter of the prominent Whig politician Thomas Spring Rice, in 1839. They had five children: three sons and two daughters. Notably, his son Colonel Henry Edward Taylor followed in his father’s footsteps in the civil service.