Edward Taylor Edward Taylor was, in short, the quintessential Puritan writer. Born in England during the Puritan domination, he spent much of his childhood in a strict religious style and among the intellectual teachings of metaphysicals such as Donnes and Quarles. He began writing as a form of worship after he moved to America as a young adult. Taylor's themes of self-examination and unworthiness and strict, calculated style echoed the feelings and attitudes of first- …showed first 75 words of 635 total…

…showed last 75 words of 635 total…he stands as an example of Puritan beliefs and standards. Although Taylor never meant for his work to be distributed or seen by the general public, he has posthumously educated generations on the Puritan culture and lifestyle. Many question whether it’s ethical or conscientious to publish works he obviously wished to be kept private, but the benefits America’s scholars have reaped from these great literary masterpieces far outweigh any doubts critics may have.