Many people have wondered if the famous singer-songwriter James Taylor is related to the acclaimed painter Henry Taylor. The two share a common surname and a passion for art, but are they actually family? The answer is no, they are not related by blood or marriage. Here is why.
James Taylor’s Family Background
James Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 12, 1948. His father, Isaac M. Taylor, was a physician and a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina. His mother, Gertrude Woodard Taylor, was an aspiring opera singer who studied at the New England Conservatory of Music. James Taylor has four siblings: Alex, Kate, Livingston, and Hugh, all of whom are musicians as well
James Taylor is of English and Scottish descent from the Taylor family of Montrose, Scotland. His ancestors include Edmund Rice, an English colonist who co-founded Sudbury, Massachusetts
James Taylor married three times in his life. His first wife was Carly Simon, a fellow singer-songwriter, whom he married in 1972 and divorced in 1983. They have two children: Sarah “Sally” Taylor and Ben Taylor, both of whom are also musicians. His second wife was Kathryn Walker, an actress, whom he married in 1985 and divorced in 1995. They had no children together. His third and current wife is Caroline Smedvig, a public relations director for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, whom he married in 2001. They have twin sons: Henry and Rufus Taylor, who were born via a surrogate mother
Henry Taylor’s Family Background
Henry Taylor was born in Oxnard, California, on June 14, 1958. His father, Henry Sr., was a ranch hand and a rodeo rider who died when Henry was young. His mother, Rosie Lee Johnson, was a nurse who raised him and his seven siblings: Charles, Johnnie Mae, Willie Mae, Mary Alice, Rosie Lee Jr., Robert Lee, and Larry Lee
Henry Taylor is of African American descent and has no known connection to the Taylors of Scotland or Massachusetts. He grew up in a poor neighborhood and experienced racism and violence as a child. He dropped out of high school and worked various jobs before enrolling at the California Institute of the Arts in his mid-twenties. There he discovered his talent for painting and became influenced by artists such as Bill Traylor , Goya , and David Hammons
Henry Taylor never married or had children of his own. He lives and works in Los Angeles, where he paints portraits of people from his community as well as celebrities and historical figures. He is known for his expressive style and his commentary on social issues such as race, class, and justice
Conclusion
James Taylor and Henry Taylor are both successful artists who have made their mark on the world with their unique visions and voices. However, they are not related to each other in any way other than sharing a common last name. They have different ethnic backgrounds, family histories, and personal lives that distinguish them from each other. Therefore, the rumor that they are related is false and has no basis in fact.
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