William Robert Taylor spent his formative years in New York after being orphaned at a young age. He later moved to Ohio, where he taught school, studied medicine, and served in the local militia. Transitioning to Wisconsin, Taylor engaged in farming and lumbering, and became actively involved in local governance, holding various positions such as Chairman of the city and County Superintendent of Schools. He also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate, and as president of the Dane County Agricultural Society. Taylor's leadership extended to his role as a trustee of the State Hospital for the Insane in Mendota and his tenure as Wisconsin's governor under the "Reform" or "People's Reform" Party.

William Robert Taylor's political identity is marked by a unique blend of local governance advocacy and a reformist coalition strategy. His tenure as governor under the "Reform" or "People's Reform" Party, which united Democrats, reform and Liberal Republicans, and Grangers, showcases an ideologically agile approach. Taylor's insistence on funding his own inauguration while rejecting free perks reveals a principled stance on corruption. His dual focus on local agricultural societies and mental health care, through his roles in agricultural organizations and as a trustee of the State Hospital for the Insane, suggests a deeply localized yet progressive policy framework.