Harvey L. Taylor was born August 28, 1894 in Harrisville, Utah. Harvey Taylor died on November 15, 1983. Taylor was a school teacher and administrator in several schools in Utah and Arizona.

He married Lucelle Eliza Rhees May 18,1916. Taylor received a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and did his graduate work at Columbia University. He was awarded an honorary law degree from Arizona State University. He taught in Weber and Summit counties in Utah before moving to Arizona to take a position as president of Gila Junior College. In 1933, he became the superintendent of Mesa Union High School, and eventually superindent of Mesa Public Schools. In 1953, he was appointed vice president of Brigham Young University and vice chancellor of the LDS Unified Church School System. In the following years, he acted as an administrator of all LDS Church Schools, seminaries, and institutes. Taylor retired in 1971 after working 52 years in education.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taylor served in several teaching and leadership positions, including many years as a Sunday School teacher. He was asked to write the history of Church Schools, and completed the work in 1972.

Taylor and his wife Lucelle had four children.