Barbara Brown Taylor

Barbara Brown Taylor is an American author, teacher, and Episcopal priest. She was born on September 21, 1951, in Fort Worth, Texas. Taylor grew up in the South and attended Emory University in Atlanta, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in religion. She later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School.

Barbara Taylor served as an Episcopal priest for fifteen years, including several years as rector of Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church in Clarkesville, Georgia. She left parish ministry in 1997 to become a professor of religion at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, where she taught for several years before retiring from full-time teaching in 2017.

Throughout her career, Taylor has been a prolific writer. She has authored over a dozen books, including "An Altar in the World," "Learning to Walk in the Dark," and "Holy Envy." Her writing often focuses on themes of spirituality, faith, and religion, and she has been widely praised for her ability to make complex theological concepts accessible to a broader audience.

Taylor has been recognized with numerous awards for her writing, including a Georgia Author of the Year award and a National Book Award nomination. She is also a sought-after speaker and has delivered lectures and sermons at churches, universities, and conferences across the United States.

In addition to her writing and teaching, Taylor is active in a variety of community and social justice organizations. She has been an advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice, and has worked to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding.