Hobart Chatfield-Taylor


Hobart Chatfield Chatfield-Taylor was an American writer, novelist, and biographer. He was considered a top authority on Molière.

Early life

He was born in Chicago to Henry Hobart Taylor and Adelaide Chatfield Taylor in 1865 as Hobart Taylor, but appended the "Chatfield" to his surname as the stipulation of a large inheritance from his maternal uncle Wayne Chatfield. He graduated from Cornell University in 1886.

Career

He edited a literary journal called America for a few years, and also served as consul to Spain in Chicago. He published his first novel, With Edge Tools, in 1891.

Personal life

In 1890, he was married to Rose Farwell, daughter of former United States Senator Charles B. Farwell. Her sister, Anna, was the wife of composer Reginald de Koven. His wife's portrait was painted by the Swiss-born American society painter Adolfo Müller-Ury, three quarter-length in 1893, and half-length drawing on a pair of white gloves in 1894 ; both are unlocated. Together, they were the parents of three sons and one daughter:
After the death of his first wife in 1918, he remarried to Estelle Stillman, the widow of George S. Stillman and daughter of George Harrison Barbour, in 1920.
Chatfield-Taylor died at his home in California on January 17, 1945.