Franklin Taylor (February 5, 1843 – March 19, 1919) was an English pianist, organist, music educator, and writer on music.
Born in Birmingham, England, Franklin Taylor was trained as a pianist at the Leipzig Conservatory by Louis Plaidy and Ignaz Moscheles, and later by Clara Schumann in Paris; notably later becoming an important exponent of Schumann's methods in piano pedagogy. In 1862 he returned to England, and became a celebrated concert pianist in London in the 1860s and 1870s. He was a regular performer at The Crystal Palace concerts during this period among appearances at other venues.[1]
In 1876 Taylor was appointed to the piano faculty of the National Training School of Music. When the school was absorbed into the newly created Royal College of Music in 1882 he was appointed professor of piano at that institution; a post he held until his retirement in 1916. From 1891 to 1893 he was director of the Royal Philharmonic Society. He also worked concurrently as an organist at several London churches.[1]
Taylor authored several influential piano pedagogy texts, some of which are still in use. These include Technique and Expression in Pianoforte Playing (London, 1897), Primer of Pianoforte Playing (London, 1877), and Progressive Studies for the Pianoforte (London, 1893–4). He also authored several entries in the early editions of Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians.[1]
Franklin Taylor died in London on March 19, 1919.[1]