William Taylor (Royal Navy officer, born 1760)

William Taylor
Born	1760
Died	19 July 1842 (aged 82) Maze Hill, Greenwich
Allegiance	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	prior to 1776 – 1842
Rank	Admiral of the Red
Commands held	HMS Pelican HMS Falcon HMS Cygnet HMS Thorn HMS Weazel HMS Prompte HMS Andromeda HMS Magnanime
Battles/wars	American War of Independence French Revolutionary Wars Capture of Gorée Napoleonic Wars

William Taylor (1760 – 19 July 1842) was an officer in the Royal Navy who served during the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Entering the navy early in his life, Taylor served as a midshipman on Cook's third voyage of discovery. He was promoted shortly after his return to England and commanded ships during the American War of Independence. In common with other officers, he struggled to find employment during the years of peace, but was given a ship to command for a few years in 1788. He was on bad terms with his lieutenant however, and a court-martial ensued. Taylor returned to an active career on the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars, still commanding small ships and escorting trade. Promoted to post captain in 1793, he moved to command several frigates in British waters, or as far afield as North America. His later service was on the African coast, where he took part in the capture of Gorée in 1801, and in the Caribbean.

He does not appear to have held any seagoing commands during the Napoleonic Wars, but continued to be promoted, rising to flag rank in 1811. He eventually reached the rank of admiral of the red before his death in 1842. He was by this time the last surviving officer from Cook's third voyage.