Born in Greeneville, Tennessee, Taylor received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Tusculum College in 1906 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1908.

He was Secretary to the Governor of Tennessee from 1911 to 1913, thereafter returning to his private practice in Greeneville until 1921.

[1] Taylor was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge on May 24, 1928, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee vacated by Judge Xenophon Hicks.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1928, and received his commission the same day.

He assumed senior status due to a certified disability on November 2, 1949.