He began to study law in 1862 but joined the Confederate Army during the American Civil War in 1864 to serve in the Second Maryland Cavalry.

Following the war, Talbott was admitted to the bar in 1866 and began to practice law in Towson, Maryland.

In 1878, after several years of activity in Democratic politics and local civic affairs, he was elected to the U.S. Congress.

[1] Talbott was a member of the House Naval Affairs Committee for 25 years and worked unceasingly for a strong and modern Navy.

He died in Lutherville on October 5, 1918, and is interred in Sherwood Cemetery of Cockeysville, Maryland.