Robert Taylor
Research manager who launched the ARPANET and led Xerox PARC’s computer lab
- Lived
- 85 yrs
- 1932 – 2017
- Works listed
- 1
- Paper
- Honours
- 2
- Most recent 2004
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Bob Taylor was an American research manager who, as head of ARPA’s computing office in 1966, launched the ARPANET project. He then founded and led the Computer Science Laboratory at Xerox PARC, where the Alto personal computer, Ethernet and laser printing were developed. He died in 2017.
Biography
Background
Taylor studied experimental psychology and mathematics at the University of Texas and worked at NASA, where he funded Douglas Engelbart’s research.
ARPANET
As director of ARPA’s Information Processing Techniques Office from 1965, he was frustrated by separate terminals for each computer. In 1966 he secured $1 million to start a network, hiring Larry Roberts to build the ARPANET.
Xerox PARC
In 1970 he founded PARC’s Computer Science Laboratory, recruiting Butler Lampson, Chuck Thacker and Alan Kay. The lab created the Alto, Ethernet, Smalltalk and laser printers.
DEC
He later founded DEC’s Systems Research Center in 1984. He shared the 2004 Draper Prize and died in 2017.
Timeline
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1932
Born in Dallas, Texas, United States
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1965
Joins ARPA’s IPTO
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1966
Launches the ARPANET project
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1968
The Computer as a Communication Device
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1970
Founds PARC’s Computer Science Lab
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1984
Founds DEC Systems Research Center
-
2004
Draper Prize
-
2017
Dies
-
2017
Died, aged 85
Notable works
-
1968
The Computer as a Communication Device Paper
With J. C. R. Licklider.
Awards and honours
-
National Medal of Technology
1999
-
Charles Stark Draper Prize
2004
Did you know?
-
1
He was not an engineer but a psychologist by training.
-
2
He ran PARC meetings from beanbag chairs.
-
3
He quit Xerox in 1983 after a dispute with management.
Connections
Related people
-
J. C. R. Licklider
Science · Psychologist who imagined the “Intergalactic Computer Network” and funded the research behind the internet
Mentor and co-author
-
Butler Lampson
Science · Xerox PARC engineer behind the personal computer and many networking ideas
Recruited to PARC
-
Charles P. Thacker
Science · Engineer who designed the Xerox Alto, the first modern personal computer
Recruited to PARC
Frequently asked
Who is Robert Taylor?
Bob Taylor was an American research manager who, as head of ARPA’s computing office in 1966, launched the ARPANET project. He then founded and led the Computer Science Laboratory at Xerox PARC, where the Alto personal computer, Ethernet and laser printing were developed. He died in 2017.
When did Robert Taylor die?
Robert Taylor died on 13 April 2017 at the age of 85.
Where is Robert Taylor from?
Robert Taylor was born in Dallas, Texas, United States.
What is Robert Taylor known for?
Robert Taylor is best known for Funding the ARPANET at ARPA; managing the Xerox PARC Computer Science Lab (Alto, Ethernet).
What awards has Robert Taylor received?
Notable honours include National Medal of Technology (1999), Charles Stark Draper Prize (2004).
References
- Robert Taylor (computer scientist) — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Robert Taylor (computer scientist) (Q93038) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Robert Taylor (computer scientist)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Robert Taylor.” TrackFame, last updated 4 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/robert-taylor
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