A. J. Taylor

Arnold Joseph Taylor (1911–2002) was a medieval historian who was an international expert on European castle building. He was a leading expert on the Welsh castles of Edward I, identifying the origins of the architect in Savoy (now in Switzerland). He was Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings at the Ministry of Works (later the Ministry of Public Building and Works and the Department of the Environment) from 1961 to 1972.

Arnold Joseph Taylor was born in London on 24 July 1911. He was educated at the Merchant Taylors' School and at St. John's College, Oxford, where he read history. After obtaining a diploma in education he became a schoolteacher at Chard School in Somerset.

Awards and public appointments Freeman of the City of London (1959) CBE (1971) Fellow of the British Academy (1972) Society of Antiquaries; president 1975–78 London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, president 1971–73