Taylor, Bayard

Bayard (1825-1878), an American writer. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and may be said to have had a high school education. At the age of nineteen he set out for a two years' tour in western Europe. He wrote articles for several American newspapers, afterward publishing them in a volume under the title of Views Afoot, or Europe Seen with Knapsack and Cap. On his return he worked on the staff of the New York Tribune, and was sent to California to write up the excitement attendant on the discovery of gold. These articles he published in 1850 under the title of Eldorado. In 1851 he revisited the Old World, passing through Egypt, Asia Minor, India, China, and Japan. On his return, he published A Journey to Central Africa, The Land of the Saracens, A Visit to India, China, and Japan. From time to time he wrote short tales and essays. In 1857 he visited Scandinavia, writing up his experience under the title of Modern Travel. In 1862 he received a diplomatic appointment at St. Petersburg, and in 1878 was made United States Ambassador at Berlin. His Translation of Faust is one of his best known works. He wrote several novels, including Anna Thurston and John Godfrey's Fortunes, and a History of Germany. His collected poems fill a volume. Taylor is regarded as an industrious. trustworthy writer of moderate ability, who has rendered the world good service.