Colonel Edmund Dick Taylor (October 18, 1804 – December 4, 1891) was an American businessman, politician, and soldier from Illinois.

He is remembered as the first person to suggest that the United States should issue paper currency ("greenbacks") during the American Civil War.

[4] In 1835, he was appointed by President Andrew Jackson as Receiver of Public Moneys in Chicago, where he was in charge of substantial sales of federal land.

[9] Taylor played an important role in Illinois in promoting and bringing about "internal improvements" (canals, railroads, and other transportation infrastructure).

General Usher F. Linder stated "If any man deserves more credit than another for the completion of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, it is Col. Edmund D.

[12] On 5 February 1857, the Chicago Merchants' Exchange company was incorporated by: Edmund D. Taylor, Thomas Hall, George Armour, James Peck, John P. Chapin, Walter S. Gurnee, Edward Kendall Rogers, Thomas Richmond, Julian Sidney Rumsey, Samuel B. Pomeroy, Elisha Wadsworth, Walter Loomis Newberry, Hiram Wheeler and George Steele.

During the Civil War, Taylor had spent considerable sums from his own pocket for travel on government business and in raising and equipping Union troops.

[15] By late 1861, it was clear that the Civil War was going to be much more costly than anyone had expected, and that the Union would have to raise or find or borrow vast amounts of money.

Taylor had the idea that the Union could pay its expenses with newly created money in the form of paper currency ("greenbacks").

Taylor said "Just get Congress to pass a bill authorizing the printing of full legal tender treasury notes... and pay your soldiers with them and go ahead and win your war with them also.

[14] In February 1888, he added a recent letter from General John McClernand, who had been at Cairo at the time, and confirmed Taylor's account.

During the Winnebago War of 1827, he enlisted as a private in Captain Bowling Green's Company of the militia on 20 July 1827, and was honorably discharged 27 August.