Marie (Hansen) Taylor (1829-1925)

She was born at Gotha, Germany, but what was then in the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. She was the daughter of an eminent astronomer. In 1857, she married the celebrated American poet and writer Bayard Taylor and moved with him first to New York City and then to Cedarcroft, their mansion in rural Pennsylvania. She "zealously promoted" her husband's literary career and after his death compiled his 'Dramatic Works' and several of his critical essays as well as publishing the 'Life and Letters of Bayard Taylor'. After the outbreak of World War I, Mrs Taylor left her home at 44 West 77th Street, New York, and returned to her native Germany where she lived in Bavaria with her daughter, Mrs Kiliani, wife of Dr Otto Kiliani, Professor of Clinical Surgery at Columbia University, New York. It was reported, "She expressed a determination never to return to the United States, making no attempt to conceal her displeasure at the attitude of her adopted country toward her native land, Germany, in the World War". She retired to Partenkirchen in Bavaria where she died aged 96.