The son of a gentleman farmer, Henry Taylor visited Canada as a midshipman during
the final year of the War of
1812.
1 Educated at home, he moved to
London in
1823 and began to write a series of essays, poems, and plays, which led to friendships
with several literary figures.
2 In
1824 he obtained the position of assistant clerk at the Colonial Office and was promoted
the following year to senior clerk in charge of the West Indian Department,
a post he held until his retirement in 1872.
3 His publication of
The Statesman in
1836, which he dedicated to
James Stephen, newly appointed permanent under-secretary,
provides a portrait
of the business and practice of Colonial Office.
4 In
1869 he was knighted for his service.
5