John Taylor of Caroline

John Taylor of Caroline
United States Senator
from Virginia
In office
December 18, 1822 – August 21, 1824
Preceded byJames Pleasants
Succeeded byLittleton W. Tazewell
In office
June 4, 1803 – December 7, 1803
Appointed byJohn Page
Preceded byStevens T. Mason
Succeeded byAbraham B. Venable
In office
October 18, 1792 – May 11, 1794
Preceded byRichard H. Lee
Succeeded byHenry Tazewell
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Caroline County
In office
1796–1800
In office
1783–1785
In office
1779–1782
Personal details
Born(1753-12-19)December 19, 1753
Caroline County, Colony of Virginia
DiedAugust 21, 1824(1824-08-21) (aged 70)
Caroline County, Virginia
Political partyDemocratic-Republican
Alma materCollege of William and Mary
ProfessionLawyer, planter

John Taylor (December 19, 1753 – August 21, 1824), usually called John Taylor of Caroline, was a politician and writer. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates (1779–1781, 1783–1785, 1796–1800) and in the United States Senate (1792–1794, 1803, 1822–1824). He wrote several books on politics and agriculture. He was a Jeffersonian Republican and his works provided inspiration to the later states' rights and libertarian movements. Sheldon and Hill (2008) locate Taylor at the intersection of republicanism and classical liberalism. They see his position as a "combination of a concern with Lockean natural rights, freedom, and limited government along with a classical interest in strong citizen participation in rule to prevent concentrated power and wealth, political corruption, and financial manipulation."[1]

  1. ^ John Taylor, "An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States" (1814)