John Taylor (1775–1848) was a Scottish seaman who served in the Royal Navy, and later helped settle Guelph in Upper Canada (now Ontario).
[1] When the enemy captain tried to prevent the British from capturing those despatches, Taylor and another seaman dove into the sea after them.
In his account of the incident Horatio Nelson quoted the captain of Taylor's ship:[4] On the 22nd of August, the Alcmene captured La Legére, French Gun-Boat off Alexandria.
Both men were fortunately picked up, by the Boat that was sent after them, and I conceive it my duty to make known the very spirited conduct they showed on this occasion for the good of the service.
According to Graeme Mercer Adam's 1891 book Toronto, Old and New... in addition to his lifetime pension, Taylor's heroism earned him a picture in the National Gallery.