As a freshman at the Wharton School of Finance (Class of 1907[3]) at University of Pennsylvania, he was the IC4A (Inter-Collegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America) champion in the quarter mile.

He transferred to and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Class of 1908), and was a member of Sigma Pi Phi, the first black fraternity.

Taylor was a member of the gold medal-winning men's medley relay team at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.

In protest at Carpenter's disqualification, Taylor and fellow American William Robbins refused to compete in the second final.

Less than five months after returning from the Olympic Games in London, Taylor died of typhoid fever on 2 December 1908 at the age of 26.