Isaac Taylor was an English philosopher, historian, artist, and inventor. He was Isaac Taylor's eldest surviving son. He was born on August 17, 1787, in Lavenham, Suffolk, and went to Colchester with his family before settling in Ongar at the end of 1810. He received training as a draughtsman and engraver in accordance with family tradition. After working for a few years as a book illustration designer, he decided to pursue a career in literature. From 1812 to 1816, he wintered in the west of England, spending most of his time in Ilfracombe and Marazion with his sister Jane. He began collecting patristic literature in 1815, inspired by Sulpicius Severus' works. In 1825, he moved to Stanford Rivers, about two miles from Ongar, and lived in a rambling old-fashioned farmhouse. On August 17, 1825, he married Elizabeth, the second daughter of James Medland of Newington, a friend and correspondent of his sister Jane. Taylor faced out against Sir William Hamilton for the chair of logic at Edinburgh University in 1836, but was narrowly defeated. In March 1841, he gave four lectures on 'Spiritual Christianity' in Hanover Square. Taylor joined the Anglican communion early in his career, yet he remained friendly with dissenters.
