Born: March 4, 1864 (Louisa County, Virginia)
Died: July 28, 1940 (Washington, D.C.)

Famous For/Known For:
United States Navy architect and engineer.

A Little About David W Taylor:
In 1885, Taylor graduated the head of his class from the United States Navy Academy, setting a scholarship record.

In 1888, he once again set a record by receiving the highest honors of the Royal Naval College.

In 1886, Taylor was appointed assistant naval constructor and by 1909 he was chief of the Navy’s Bureau of Construction and Repair.

He is responsible for the Taylor Standard Series Method which helps figure out ships flow resistance.

Taylor was assigned to find a way to make ships more sea worthy by creating better hull construction after the Titanic catastrophe.

For fifteen years, Taylor was in charge of the Experimental Model Basin.

In 1923, he retired from active service.

In 1939, The Navy’s Research and Development community named a model basin the David Taylor Model Basin.

In 1942, the ship, David W. Taylor (DD-551) was named in his honor. Also, an award given by the navy in recognition of outstanding scientific achievement was named David W. Taylor Award.

David W Taylor died at the age of 76.

References:
http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NSWC-Carderock/Who-We-Are/Rear-Adm-David-W-Taylor/