Taylor, Bayard (1825-1878)

Taylor, Bayard (1825-1878)

American poet, prose-writer, and journalist, known for his popular essays, lectures, and sentimental poems of romance and adventure; an exponent of the Genteel Tradition. Among his accounts of travel and adventure are Views Afoot ( 1846); El Dorado ( 1850); A Journey to Central Africa ( 1854); The Lands of the Saracen ( 1855); A Visit to India, China, and Japan, in the Year 1853 ( 1855); Northern Travel ( 1858); Travels in Greece and Russia ( 1859); At Home and Abroad ( 1860). His verse includes Ximena ( 1844); Rhymes of Travel, Ballads and Poems ( 1849); A Book of Romances, Lyrics, and Songs ( 1852); Poems of the Orient ( 1855); Lars: A Pastoral of Norway ( 1863); Home Pastorals, Ballads, and Lyrics ( 1875); The Echo Club, And Other Literary Diversions ( 1876); Poetical Works ( 1880). He also wrote such fiction as: Hannah Thurston ( 1863); John Godfrey's Fortunes ( 1864); The Story of Kennett ( 1866); Joseph and His Friend ( 1870).

During his early career Taylor traveled widely in Europe, Asia, and Africa, writing of his journeys for American newspapers and making lecture tours. His best work is considered to be his translation of Goethe Faust ( 1870-1871), as a result of which in 1878 he was appointed minister to Germany, where he died soon after his arrival.

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