Taylor, Tom

1817

1880

Tom Taylor was an English playwright, critic and editor, who also served as a barrister and professor of English. Taylor wrote many plays most of which were adaptations from French fiction. He worked as an art critic for the Times and later for the Graphic, but he is mostly known for his work at Punch magazine. His affiliation with Punch started with Taylor writing articles and columns for the magazine and ended with him becoming its editor. This collaboration lasted over thirty year ending only on Taylor’s death. Tom Taylor married Laura Wilson Barker who also collaborated with him, composing music to accompany his plays. Their home, in Lavender Sweep, Battersea, was a place of gathering for artists and politicians alike. Taylor was elected member of the Garrick Club in 1850.

See ODNB http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/27090?docPos=3