Edward Robeson Taylor Biography

Edward Robeson Taylor (September 24, 1838 – July 5, 1923) was the 28th Mayor of San Francisco serving from July 16, 1907 to January 7, 1910.

Edward Robeson Taylor was born on September 24, 1838 in Springfield, Illinois, the only son of Henry West Taylor and the former Mary Thaw of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (he was descended on his mother's side from the early colonial merchant, Andrew Robeson, of Philadelphia.) He was a lawyer and a poet in California before he became mayor, publishing an 1898 book of sonnets based on the paintings of William Keith. Taylor was appointed mayor due to the resignation of Charles Boxton, after his eight-day term. When he was sworn in, he became the oldest mayor of San Francisco to be sworn in at 68 years old and still currently holds the record today. He died in San Francisco on July 5, 1923. His remains are housed at the San Francisco Columbarium. The political economist Henry George credits Taylor for influencing his work on Progress and Poverty, one of the most popular and influential books in American history.