He emigrated to the United States in 1817 and worked as a landscape painter in Boston, moving his family a year later.

In 1819 he was hired by the U.S. government to embark on a scientific expedition on the frigate Macedonia to Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.

Taylor designed the Coat of arms of Chile, adopted by the government in 1834, incorporating the huemul and the condor.

He then moved to Valparaiso, where in 1833 he made plans for the quartermaster of this port, designed the customs clock tower and the railway line to Cerro Alegre, and in 1837, drew the topographic map of the city.

He was appointed inspector of public works of the city, planning the Huth House and Port San Antonio.