# Robert Taylor

> American computer scientist (1932–2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q93038](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q93038)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Taylor_(computer_scientist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/robert-taylor-q93038

## Summary
Robert Taylor was an American computer scientist known for his visionary leadership in the development of modern computing technology. He played a pivotal role in fostering the creation of computer networks, the personal computer, and the graphical user interface. His work significantly shaped the landscape of contemporary computing.

## Biography
*   Born: February 10, 1932, Dallas, Texas, United States
*   Died: April 13, 2017, Woodside, California, United States
*   Nationality: United States
*   Education: University of Texas at Austin
*   Known for: Visionary leadership in the development of computer networks, the personal computer, and the graphical user interface.
*   Employer(s): Martin Marietta (until 1961), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (1961-1965), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (1965-1969), University of Utah (1969-1970), PARC (1970-1983), DEC Systems Research Center (from 1983), Digital Equipment Corporation
*   Field(s): computer science, psychology

## Contributions
Robert Taylor's leadership was instrumental in shaping foundational aspects of modern computing. While at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) from 1965 to 1969, he oversaw the development of early computer networks, laying groundwork for what would become the internet. Later, at PARC (Xerox Palo Alto Research Center) from 1970 to 1983, he led teams that pioneered key technologies for the personal computer, including the graphical user interface (GUI) and the Alto, which was recognized as the first practical networked computer. His contributions were acknowledged with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 1999 for his visionary leadership in these areas. He also received the Charles Stark Draper Prize in 2004 for his work on the Alto and the ACM Software System Award in 1984.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Robert Taylor best known for?
A: Robert Taylor is best known for his visionary leadership in the development of modern computing technology, including his crucial roles in fostering computer networks, the personal computer, and the graphical user interface.

### Q: What organizations did Robert Taylor work for?
A: Robert Taylor held significant positions at Martin Marietta, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the University of Utah, PARC (Xerox Palo Alto Research Center), and Digital Equipment Corporation, including its DEC Systems Research Center.

### Q: What awards did Robert Taylor receive?
A: Robert Taylor received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (1999), the Charles Stark Draper Prize (2004), the ACM Software System Award (1984), and was named an ACM Fellow (1994), Computer History Museum Fellow (2013), and inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame (2013).

## Why They Matter
Robert Taylor matters because his strategic vision and leadership directly enabled the creation of technologies that underpin modern digital life. His oversight at DARPA was critical to the early development of computer networks, a precursor to the internet. At PARC, he cultivated an environment that led to breakthroughs in personal computing, including the graphical user interface and the Alto computer, which profoundly influenced Apple and Microsoft. Without his foresight and ability to manage and inspire brilliant researchers, the widespread adoption of networked computers, personal computers, and user-friendly interfaces might have been significantly delayed or taken a different path. His influence is evident in virtually every computer and smartphone used today.

## Notable For
*   Visionary leadership in the development of computer networks, the personal computer, and the graphical user interface.
*   Recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (1999).
*   Recipient of the Charles Stark Draper Prize (2004) for work on the Alto, the first practical networked computer.
*   Leadership roles at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and PARC (Xerox Palo Alto Research Center).
*   Inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame (2013) and named an ACM Fellow (1994).

## Body

### Personal Details
*   **Birth Name**: Robert William Taylor
*   **Given Name**: Robert William (with nickname Bob)
*   **Family Name**: Taylor
*   **Aliases**: Robert W. Taylor, Robert William Taylor, Bob Taylor, ボブ・テイラー, 로버트 윌리엄 테일러, 로버트 W. 테일러, 밥 테일러
*   **Birth Date**: February 10, 1932
*   **Birth Place**: Dallas, Texas, United States
*   **Death Date**: April 13, 2017
*   **Death Place**: Woodside, California, United States
*   **Citizenship**: United States
*   **Sex or Gender**: Male
*   **Manner of Death**: Natural causes
*   **Cause of Death**: Parkinson's disease
*   **Participated in Conflict**: Korean War

### Education
*   **Institution**: University of Texas at Austin

### Career and Employment
Robert Taylor held several influential positions throughout his career:
*   **Martin Marietta**: Employed until 1961.
*   **National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)**: Employed from 1961 to 1965.
*   **Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)**: Employed from 1965 to 1969.
*   **University of Utah**: Employed from 1969 to 1970.
*   **PARC (Xerox Palo Alto Research Center)**: Employed from 1970 to 1983.
*   **DEC Systems Research Center**: Employed starting in 1983.
*   **Digital Equipment Corporation**: Affiliated with this organization.

### Field of Work
*   Computer science
*   Psychology

### Awards and Honors
*   **ACM Software System Award**: Received in 1984.
*   **ACM Fellow**: Recognized in 1994.
*   **National Medal of Technology and Innovation**: Awarded in 1999 "For visionary leadership in the development of modern computing technology, including computer networks, the personal computer and the graphical user interface."
*   **Charles Stark Draper Prize**: Received in 2004 "for the work on Alto, the first practical networked computer."
*   **Computer History Museum Fellow**: Recognized in 2013.
*   **Internet Hall of Fame**: Inducted in 2013.

### Affiliations
*   **Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)**: Member, and recognized as an ACM Fellow.
*   **National Academy of Engineering**: Member.

### Archival Information
*   **Archives At**: Stanford University Libraries Department of Special Collections and University Archives.

### Languages
*   **Writing Language**: English
*   **Languages Spoken, Written or Signed**: English

### Identifiers
*   **ISNI**: 0000000082253749
*   **VIAF ID**: 48050565
*   **FAST ID**: 1442706
*   **Freebase ID**: /m/03y7xp
*   **Prabook ID**: 3528323
*   **Quora Topic**: Robert-Taylor-110
*   **SNAC ARK ID**: w6q832hs
*   **DBLP Author ID**: 31/1172
*   **Scopus Author ID**: 57198561815
*   **IEEE Xplore Author ID**: 37089098080
*   **Geni.com Profile ID**: 6000000057474277092
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n79145949
*   **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987012747903905171
*   **ACM Digital Library Author ID**: 81100520259
*   **National Academy of Engineering Member ID**: 29841
*   **WorldCat Entities ID**: E39PBJtxjkmq6wyYrjcmRrycfq

### Image
*   **Image**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Bob_Taylor_in_2008.jpg (from 2008-12-09)

### Wikipedia
*   **Wikipedia Title**: Robert Taylor (computer scientist)
*   **Wikipedia Languages**: ar, arz, azb, ca, commons, de, en, es, fa, fi
*   **Commons Category**: Robert Taylor (computer scientist)

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nationalmedals.org/laureates)
2. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/newell/award-recipients)
3. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/fellows/award-recipients)
4. [Source](https://www.internethalloffame.org/inductee/robert-taylor/)
5. [Robert Taylor, Innovator Who Shaped Modern Computing, Dies at 85. The New York Times. 2017](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/14/technology/robert-taylor-innovator-who-shaped-modern-computing-dies-at-85.html)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Quora
8. Virtual International Authority File