Robert Love Taylor was an American politician, writer, and orator whose career spanned the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Best known for his charismatic public speaking and his service as the 24th Governor of Tennessee, Taylor successfully blended the worlds of Southern politics and popular entertainment. He served three terms as governor, from 1887 to 1891 and again from 1897 to 1899, and later represented Tennessee in the United States Senate from 1907 until his death in 1912.
Taylor's political career is famously highlighted by the 1886 gubernatorial campaign, dubbed "The War of the Roses," in which he ran against his older brother, Alfred A. "Alf" Taylor. Rather than relying on the fierce rhetoric and personal attacks common to the era, the brothers engaged audiences with storytelling, fiddle-playing, and lighthearted practical jokes. Although Robert won the 1886 election, his brother Alfred would eventually serve as governor in the 1920s.
Beyond his political offices, Taylor was a prominent public lecturer and literary figure. He channeled his performance skills into national lecture tours and published several collections of his lectures and short stories during the 1890s and early 1900s. He also served as the co-editor of the Taylor-Trotwood Magazine, a regional publication that showcased Southern literature and culture.
