US Senator and South Carolina Governor. The son of Columbia, South Carolina's founder, he graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1790, studied law, and became an attorney. Taylor was a Presidential Elector in 1796, served in the state House of Representatives from 1796 to 1802 and 1804 to 1805, and as Solicitor of Columbia's Circuit Court from 1805 to 1806. From 1806 to 1807 he was the first person to serve as Columbia's Intendant, a French office that corresponds to Mayor. Interested in higher education and supportive of the Presbyterian Church, he served as a Trustee of South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) and a Director of Columbia Theological Seminary. In 1806 Taylor was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican and served one full term and part of another, March, 1807 until he resigned to enter the US Senate. He was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Thomas Sumter's resignation and also elected to a full term, serving from December 20, 1810 until he resigned in November 1816. In 1818 he was elected to the South Carolina Senate, where he served until 1826. In 1826 he was elected Governor, serving until 1828. His term was marked by opposition to federal tariffs and support for Nullification. After leaving the governorship Taylor continued to serve in Columbia's local government, remaining active until his death.
US Senator and South Carolina Governor. The son of Columbia, South Carolina's founder, he graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1790, studied law, and became an attorney. Taylor was a Presidential Elector in 1796, served in the state House of Representatives from 1796 to 1802 and 1804 to 1805, and as Solicitor of Columbia's Circuit Court from 1805 to 1806. From 1806 to 1807 he was the first person to serve as Columbia's Intendant, a French office that corresponds to Mayor. Interested in higher education and supportive of the Presbyterian Church, he served as a Trustee of South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) and a Director of Columbia Theological Seminary. In 1806 Taylor was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican and served one full term and part of another, March, 1807 until he resigned to enter the US Senate. He was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Thomas Sumter's resignation and also elected to a full term, serving from December 20, 1810 until he resigned in November 1816. In 1818 he was elected to the South Carolina Senate, where he served until 1826. In 1826 he was elected Governor, serving until 1828. His term was marked by opposition to federal tariffs and support for Nullification. After leaving the governorship Taylor continued to serve in Columbia's local government, remaining active until his death.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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