About the Collection
Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor has published four novels, a collection of short stories, and several essays, many of which have won awards. A resident of Oberlin, Ohio, his literary archive was donated to Oberlin College Library in 2016.
Robert Taylor was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Army Intelligence out of college. He graduated first in his class from Intelligence School and was then assigned to the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence at the Pentagon.
Taylor served the required three years, but the war in Vietnam necessitated his continued military service. After being promoted to First Lieutenant and later Captain, Taylor was sent to Vietnam in October of 1966, where he was assigned to the Intelligence staff of the Commanding General at Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam. During his time in the Army, Taylor constantly feared that his homosexuality would be discovered. After returning to Washington D.C. in October of 1967, he resolved never to live in fear of that kind again. Despite the political and social climate of intolerance and even hatred towards homosexuality, Taylor told his family, friends, and coworkers that he was gay. He has lived openly ever since.
In Washington D.C., Taylor worked as an editor for several publications produced by governmental and national organizations until 1986. During this time, he began his career as an activist for gay rights. In 1969, he joined the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), helping to organize petitions, boycotts, and letter-writing campaigns that targeted discriminatory policies on the basis of sexual orientation.Taylor left his work as a magazine editor and began his career as an author of fiction in the fall of 1986, moving first with Ted Nowick to Blue Hill, Maine.