Linda Taylor

This article is about the criminal. For the Canadian lawyer and scholar, see Linda Taylor (lawyer). For the musician, see Linda Taylor (musician).
Linda Taylor
Taylor leaving a courtroom in Chicago during a recess in her trial on March 8, 1977.
Born
Martha Louise White

c. January 1926
Golddust, Tennessee, U.S.
Died (aged 76)
Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
Other names
  • Martha Louise Miller
  • Connie Walker
  • Linda Bennett
  • Linda Jones
  • Connie Jarvis
  • Linda Lynch
  • Linda Sholvia
Known forWelfare fraud
Criminal statusConvicted
Conviction(s)
  • Fraud
  • Perjury
Criminal penalty3–7 years imprisonment
Date apprehended
August 2, 1974
Imprisoned atDwight Correctional Center,
Nevada Township, Illinois, U.S.
(1978–1980)

Linda Taylor (born Martha Louise White; c. January 1926 – April 18, 2002) was an American woman who committed extensive welfare fraud and, after the publication of an article in the Chicago Tribune in fall 1974, became identified as the "welfare queen". Accounts of Taylor's activities were used by then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, for his 1976 presidential campaign onwards, to illustrate his criticisms of social programs in the United States.[1] Her criminal activities are believed to have extended beyond welfare fraud and may have included assault, theft, insurance fraud, bigamy, kidnapping, and possibly even murder.[2][3]

  1. ^ "'Welfare Queen' Becomes Issue in Reagan Campaign". The New York Times. February 15, 1976. p. 51. Reprinted from The Washington Star.
  2. ^ Levin, Josh (December 19, 2013). "The Welfare Queen". Slate. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  3. ^ Demby, Gene (December 20, 2013). "The Truth Behind The Lies Of The Original 'Welfare Queen'". NPR. Retrieved May 18, 2019.