Taylor, John

Person

Taylor, John

1856-1934

The son of an upholsterer, John Taylor was born in Ayr in 1856. At the age of 13 he was apprenticed to an upholsterer in London, where he also attended night school classes. He returned to Ayr and took over the family upholstery business following the death of his father, but by 1900 he was living with his wife and family in Glasgow where he was described as a warehouseman upholsterer, possibly working for Wylie & Lochhead.

Taylor was a correspondent for “The Studio” and “The Furniture Record” from about 1898 to 1934, and also contributed to other publications, such as the American periodical, “House Beautiful.” From 1921 he had a business at 12 Renfield Street as a "Manufacturers Agent" for American furniture makers and furnishing supplies, probably including Fabrikona, a fashionable textile-like wall covering, which he regularly praised in his “Furniture Record” articles. He wrote two books on Interior decoration in partnership with John Ednie, the architect and designer; it is likely the men met while working for Wylie & Lochhead.

A member of the Glasgow Business Club from 1921 to 1934, Taylor latterly served as its President. He was a Glasgow City Councillor for Maryhill, his home district, and attempted to become the local MP. From 1899 to 1925, he lived at 150 Cambridge Drive, Maryhill, later moving to 150 Fergus Drive. He was also a magistrate and served as a Governor of the GSA

• GSA Records
• Information supplied by John Ednie researcher