Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Taylor, John (1739-1838)
TAYLOR, JOHN (1739–1838), portrait-painter, born in Bishopsgate Street, London, in 1739, was son of an officer in the customs. He studied art at the drawing academy in St. Martin's Lane, and also under Francis Hayman [q. v.] In 1766 he was one of the original members of the Incorporated Society of Artists. Taylor was best known for his highly finished portraits in pencil. From 1779 he was a casual exhibitor at the Royal Academy. Later in life he amassed a competence by teaching, and invested his money in annuities to last him to the age of 100. This he nearly attained, as he died in Cirencester Place, Marylebone, on 21 Nov. 1838, in his ninety-ninth year. He was a friend of the eccentric sculptor, Joseph Nollekens [q. v.], who made a bust of him, and left him a legacy in his will.
Another John Taylor (1745?–1806), landscape-painter, was born in Bath about 1745. He painted marine landscapes with figures and cattle, and was also an etcher. He died at Bath on 8 Nov. 1806 (Redgrave, Dict. of Artists).
[Gent. Mag. 1839, i. 100; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1880; Séguier's Dict. of Painters; Smith's Nollekens and his Times.]