The son of a gentleman farmer, Henry Taylor visited Canada as a midshipman during
the final year of the War of
1812. 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. 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.
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. In
1869 he was knighted for his service.