Sir John Taylor 
Biography of Sir John Taylor
Sir John Taylor
John Taylor graduated from the University of Glasgow MB in 1905 and MD in 1913. He was born on the 14 February 1884 in Glasgow. His father was William Taylor, a dental surgeon. He first matriculated at the University in 1901 to study for a medical degree. Whilst at University, Taylor had a highly successful academic career, winning prizes in subjects such as Clinical Surgery, Clinical Medicine and the Practice of Medicine.
After graduating, Taylor completed two years of military service in India. He then worked for the Haffkine Institute in Bombay, a biomedical research institute. During this time researched the development of the bubonic plague in India.
Taylor then returned to his military duties from 1914 to 1920, and was frequently mentioned in dispatches. After his service he moved to Burma to join the Pasteur Institute, working in general bacteriology and pathology research. In 1932 he was appointed as the new director of the Central Research institute, Kasauli, a position which he held for the next 12 years. During this period Taylor undertook research on snakes and snake venom and refining anti-venom serum.
In addition to his research, Taylor was also the editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Research, and sat on various Army Pathology Advisory Committees in India. He also played a key role in developing legislation surrounding the manufacture and sale of biological products in India. Taylor partially set up a biological standards laboratory at the Central Research Institute in India and assisted with drafting Drugs Act legislation. He retired from India in 1944 and worked part time for the Medical Research Council.
Taylor held various titles throughout his career, receiving his knighthood in 1942 having been promoted successively to colonel and major-general while at Kasauli. He served as Honorary Surgeon to the King from 1939 to 1941 and Honorary Surgeon to the Viceroy from 1936 to 1941. In 1945 he was awarded an LLD from the University of Glasgow.
His Roll of Honour entry is viewable here.
Sources
Other Online Resources
Archival Materials
- University Calendar 1903-1904, SEN10/45
- University Calendar 1904-1905, SEN10/46
- University Calendar 1905-1906, SEN10/47
Summary
Sir John Taylor
Born 14 February 1884.
GU Degrees: MB, 1905; MD, 1913;
University Link: Graduate
Additional Information: R3/1/1 (vol 2), R3/2/1
Record last updated: 24th Apr 2020
