Raynor Taylor was born in
Soho, in
Westminster,
London, England, between August and November 1747. As a boy he sang in the choir at the
Chapel Royal for many years, notably singing at the funeral of
George Frideric Handel in 1759. Music historian
J. R. Parker reported that Taylor's hat accidentally dropped into the composer's grave during the funeral ceremony. He studied organ, singing, and music composition with
Samuel Arnold in London as a teenager, and at the age of eighteen became the organist at Chelmsford. In 1765 he was appointed the resident composer and musical director for the
Sadler's Wells Theatre and the
Marylebone Gardens, serving in both positions for more than 25 years. In 1792 Taylor immigrated to the United States, partially due to the encouragement of his pupil
Alexander Reinagle. He initially settled in Baltimore where he taught music and gave musical extravaganzas. Music historian O. G. Sonneck wrote of these concerts, "As a specialty he cultivated burlesque olios or 'extravaganzas' which came dangerously near being music hall skits." Taylor then briefly worked as the organist for St Anne's Church in
Annapolis before moving to
Philadelphia in 1795 to become the organist at
St. Peter's Church, serving in that capacity until 1813. He also is noteworthy for having the first sheet music published under US copyright, "
The Kentucky Volunteer" in 1794, his friend
Benjamin Carr as the publisher. Taylor became one of the major figures in the musical life of Philadelphia during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. He was one of the most sought after music teachers in the city and was active both as a performer and composer in the church and the theatre. He moved in the most important musical circles in Philadelphia, counting among his close friends
Benjamin Carr,
J. G. Schetky, and his former pupil Alexander Reinagle. He was one of the founding members of the
Musical Fund Society in 1820. As a performer he was particularly admired for his organ improvisations as well as for his renditions of comic theatre songs. He died in Philadelphia on 17 August 1825 and was buried at St. Peter's Church. ==Works==