John Taylor (hymn writer)

John Taylor (1750-1826) was a successful businessman, poet and composer of hymns from Norwich, England.Chambers of Worcester, John (1829). "A General History of the County of Norfolk: Intended to Convey All the Information of a Norfolk Tour," 1252-1253. Printed by and for J. Stacy.]

Early life

John Taylor was born to Richard and Margaret Taylor on July 30, 1750 and was baptized in the parish of St. George's Colgate. By Taylor's own accounts, his father Richard was a warm and caring provider as well as an honest and pious man. Richard Taylor was a local manufacturer whose own father, Dr. John Taylor, was also in the business of manufacture. Dr. Taylor's maternal bloodline had a long history in Norwich, going back to the days of Henry II.Taylor, Edward (1826). Obituary - Mr. John Taylor. "The Monthly Repository of Theology and General Literature" vol xxi, 482-494.]

Continuing in the family legacy, John Taylor went on to study business himself. At 8yrs of age he was sent to study with a known business man in the village of Hindolveston, but shortly after his father's death in 1762 he returned home to assist his mother with her affairs.

Mid life

Taylor returned to his study of business 3yrs later under the apprenticeship of two local manufacturers until 1768 when left Norwich for a job as a bank-clerk in London. It was during this time that he contributed the occasional poetical piece to the Morning Chronicle, one of which was entitled "Verses written on the back of a Bank Note", a humorous look at the cashiers working the principal banking houses.

In 1773 he returned to Norwich and joined his brother Richard in the business of yarn manufacture. 4 years later saw his marriage to Susanna (née Cook), and the following year saw the beginnings of his work for the church. Taylor was first chosen to be a deacon and soon went on to become treasurer of the church's benefactions. Taylor also oversaw the funding of local schools and his business expertise led to a considerable increase in their funds. In 1781 and he was elected to the Board of Guardians, an organisation responsible for administering and distributing funds of parish workhouses, places where people who were unable to support themselves could go to live and work. While on the board, Taylor set about training the paupers of Norwich to spin yarn, earning many thousand pounds for the parish.

Amongst his various business duties Taylor also found time to express himself on paper:
* In 1784, inspired by a family reunion, he wrote his first family song; his song so pleased the attendees that it became regular practice for him to pen verses for festive gatherings.
* In 1789 Taylor wrote "The Trumpet of Liberty", perhaps his best known work; on November 5th of that year Taylor sang this piece at a public dinner celebrating the first anniverary of the French Revolution.
* In 1790 he contributed poetry to "The Norwich Cabinet", a radical political publication which also featured poems by Amelia Opie. In 1797 he also began to compile the history of the local Octagon congregation.

Illness and death

Starting around 1802, Taylor was afflicted by severe pains resulting from Gout. Taylor wrote the following about his illness:

Taylor suffered many years of illness and found himself bedridden for a time. However in the 1810s he regained some strength and by 1814 he contributed a selection of hymns for the congregation of the Octagon Chapel, a Chapel which his father had helped to build and maintain.

Unfortunately, while being driven by horse and carriage, the horse was spooked, causing it's driver and passengers to be thrown on the road. Taylor had lost consciousness and was returned home; he did eventually regain consciousness, although he could not speak. Taylor began to regain his speech when he took another turn for the worse and he passed away on June 23, 1826.

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