Edward Plunkett Taylor

Edward Plunkett Taylor

Edward Plunkett Taylor, "E.P.," businessman (b at Ottawa 29 Jan 1901; d at Lyford Cay, Bahamas 14 May 1989). Educated at McGill, Taylor joined the stockbroking firm MCLEOD, YOUNG, WEIR AND CO in Ottawa in 1923, moving to Toronto in 1928 and becoming a director in 1929. In 1930, through a series of mergers, Taylor formed the Brewing Corp of Canada Ltd (later Canadian Breweries) and, by 1935, could indulge in his hobby of horses and horse racing.

In 1940 C.D. HOWE placed Taylor on the executive committee of the Dept of Munitions and Supply. In 1941 he was moved to the US to handle the exchange of supplies between Canada and the US. He was appointed president and vice-chairman of the British Supply Council in N America and in Jan 1942 became head of the British Purchasing Commission as well. Exhaustion forced his resignation from the latter in Sept 1942, but he continued as Howe's deputy on the Anglo-American-Canadian Combined Production and Resources Board. After the war Taylor formed an "investment company,"ARGUS CORPORATION, with Wallace McCutcheon and Eric PHILLIPS. Taylor was president until 1969 and chairman 1969-71.

In later years he concentrated on land development in the Bahamas and on his racing interests. He helped expand the Ontario Jockey Club in the 1950s and was president of the club (1956-63), chairman of the board (1962-73) and honorary chairman of the board (since 1973). His thoroughbred operation, Windfields Farms, grew to be among the most successful in North America, NORTHERN DANCER and NIJINSKY II being 2 of its famous horses. His son Charles is now president of the operation.