# Dictionary of National Biography, 1927 supplement/Taylor, John

​TAYLOR, Sir JOHN (1833–1912), architect, was born at Warkworth, Northumberland, 15 November 1833, the son of William Taylor, of that place, by his wife, Elizabeth Bolton. After being educated privately, he entered H.M. Office of Works in 1859, and in the same year was appointed assistant surveyor of royal palaces, public buildings, and royal parks. In 1866 he became surveyor, and held this office until he retired in 1898 under the superannuation rule. His services were retained, however, as consulting architect until 1908, when he resigned. The ancient title of surveyor hardly expressed the character of the work which the holder of the office was expected to discharge in Taylor's time, and it has since been abandoned for that of architect. During the long period of his surveyorship Taylor made various additions to Marlborough House, the chief being a new storey (1886), and designed the new Bow Street police court and station (1879), the Bankruptcy Buildings in Carey Street (1892), the new wing of the Public Record Office, facing Chancery Lane (1896), and the Patent Office Library (1898), besides many smaller official buildings, including police courts and park lodges. He also added new exhibition rooms and the central staircase to the National Gallery (1887). He was charged with the general upkeep and maintenance of these buildings as well as of the Houses of Parliament, in which many alterations were made from time to time. He was also responsible for the structural arrangements for several important public functions, such as the thanksgiving services held at St. Paul's Cathedral for the recovery of the Prince of Wales (1872), and at Westminster Abbey for Queen Victoria's jubilee (1887). During the later years of his service he arranged for the rebuilding of the War Office and of the public buildings in Great George Street. Soon after his retirement, the architect, William Young, who had been appointed to design and superintend the erection of the new War Office, died, and Sir John Taylor was entrusted jointly with Mr. Young's son with the construction of these buildings. On their completion he resigned his position as consulting architect.
Taylor was regarded by the many first commissioners of works under whom he served as a sound and cautious adviser, and was much appreciated and esteemed by all those with whom he came in contact in the course of his public service. In recognition of his services he was made a C.B. in 1895 and a K.C.B. in 1897. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1881, and served on the council during the session 1899–1900, as a vice-president in 1905–1906, and as member of the art standing committee. He was a volunteer in the Civil Service Rifle Volunteers and, being a good shot, attended with regularity the competitions of the National Rifle Association, winning many cups, until his official duties prevented further attendance. He was also a keen golfer, and was at one time captain of the Royal Wimbledon Club; he was one of the founders of the Royal St. George's Club at Sandwich. He died 30 April 1912 at his residence at Surbiton Hill.
Taylor married in 1860 Emma Hamilton, daughter of Henry Hadland, and had three daughters.
[The Times, 2 May 1912.]
H. T.