Answer and Summary
Henry Taylor is a former British competitive swimmer who won three gold medals at the 1908 London Olympics in the 400 m, 1500 m, and 4×200 m relay. He was born around 15 March 1885 in Oldham, England, and died on 28 February 1951. As of 2025, he would be approximately 140 years old if alive; he is deceased. This profile clarifies his birth date, key career milestones, and legacy in aquatics.
Primary Category
Evergreen Profile
Tags
- Henry Taylor
- Olympic swimmer
- verified facts
- age and career
- 1908 Olympics
Early Life and Birth Details
Birth Date and Place
Henry Taylor was born on approximately 15 March 1885 in Oldham, Lancashire, England. This date is recorded in historical registries and Olympic documentation, though minor discrepancies occasionally appear in secondary sources.
Background and Family Context
Taylor grew up in a working-class environment and learned to swim in local open water venues, which were common training grounds for British swimmers of his era. His early development occurred within a community that valued practical water skills.
Competitive Career Overview
Taylor competed at the highest level in the early 1900s, establishing himself as a dominant middle- and long-distance freestyle swimmer. His career peaked at the 1908 Summer Olympics, where he delivered a series of high-level performances that cemented his place in swimming history.
Major Achievements and Olympic Performances
| Event | Year | Venue | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 m freestyle | 1908 | London | Gold | Olympic record |
| 1500 m freestyle | 1908 | London | Gold | Won with room to spare |
| 4×200 m relay | 1908 | London | Gold | Team victory |
| 1 mile freestyle | 1906 | Athens (Intercalated Games) | Gold | Not an official Olympic program event |
1908 Olympic Highlights
At the 1908 Games, Taylor won three golds, set an Olympic record in the 400 m, and famously defeated fellow British rival and regional favorite in multiple distances. His performances were noted for endurance, tactical pacing, and consistency across distances.
Other Notable Results
In addition to his 1908 success, Taylor medaled in various national and international meets. His versatility across middle and long distances was rare for the period and contributed to his enduring reputation.
Age and Biographical Timeline
Based on the most frequently cited birth date of 15 March 1885, Taylor would be 140 years old in 2025 if he were alive; however, he died on 28 February 1951 at approximately 65 years old. The timeline below outlines key stages of his life.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 15 March 1885 | Birth | Primary source-based birth date; anchors age calculations |
| 1906 | 1 mile freestyle gold at Intercalated Games | Demonstrates early dominance |
| 1908 | Three Olympic golds in London | Career peak and legacy moment |
| 1951 | Death | End of life; informs current status |
Legacy and Historical Context
Taylor is remembered as one of Britain’s pioneering distance swimmers, setting standards in training and racecraft that influenced later generations. His achievements in 1908 remain part of the Olympic record and are frequently referenced in historical surveys of aquatics.
Clarifying Common Misunderstandings
- Status: Henry Taylor is deceased; he died in 1951 and is not alive in 2025.
- Age calculations: Because he was born in 1885 and died in 1951, he lived to be about 65; he is not currently 140 years old.
- Confusion with contemporaries: Some records occasionally conflate Taylor with other swimmers of the era; verified sources confirm his distinct identity and achievements.
FAQ
Reader questions
How old is Henry Taylor today?
Henry Taylor is not alive today. He was born in 1885 and died in 1951 at approximately 65 years old. If he were alive in 2025, he would be about 140 years old.
When was Henry Taylor born?
He was born on approximately 15 March 1885, based on historical registries and Olympic documentation.
What are Henry Taylor’s key accomplishments?
He won three gold medals at the 1908 London Olympics in the 400 m, 1500 m, and 4×200 m relay, and set an Olympic record in the 400 m. He also medaled at other national and international events across middle and long distances.
Is Henry Taylor related to any other swimmers?
No verified familial relationships with other prominent swimmers have been established in authoritative sources; he is primarily noted for his individual and relay performances in 1908.
Where can I verify Henry Taylor’s age and achievements?
Key details are documented in Olympic official reports, historical swimming archives, and biographical records maintained by national sporting bodies.