Leon Rutherford Taylor

This article is about the Governor of New Jersey. For the Olympic diver, see Leon Taylor.

Leon Rutherford Taylor (October 26, 1883 – April 1, 1924) was an American politician who was the acting governor of New Jersey from October 28, 1913, to January 20, 1914. Taylor took office upon the resignation of James Fairman Fielder, who had stepped down to create a vacancy in the governorship and avoid constitutional limits on succeeding himself.

Leon Taylor
Acting Governor of New Jersey
In office October 28, 1913 – January 20, 1914
Preceded by	James Fairman Fielder (acting)
Succeeded by	James Fairman Fielder
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
Personal details
Born	October 26, 1883 Asbury Park, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	April 1, 1924(1924-04-01) (aged 40) Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Democratic

Biography

Taylor was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on October 26, 1883.^[1] He attended Denison University in Ohio, studied law and established himself as a lawyer in New Jersey. Taylor was elected to three terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, and was chosen as its speaker. After Governor of New Jersey James Fairman Fielder resigned from office on October 28, 1913, Taylor became acting governor by virtue of his role as speaker of the house, serving until January 20, 1914, when Fielder assumed a full term in office. Taylor died on April 1, 1924, in Denver, Colorado.^[2] He never married and had no children.