Born at Gilbert, Lexington County, in 1902, Claude Ambrose Taylor recieved his LL.B. from the University of South Carolina in 1926 and entered the practice of law in Spartanburg in 1927. He served ten years in the General Assembly and was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1935 to 1936. He was elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court in 1944 and elevated to the position of Chief Justice in 1961.
He possessed a rare talent for service and enjoyed the confidence, admiration and respect of those with whom he served and the people of the county who re-elected him. He was a member of a great Supreme Court which served the State of South Carolina for an unusual span of years and decided many vital issues.
As Chief Justice, he continued the tradition of leadership established by his predecessors, and worked effectively in law development and reform. His Court was harmonious. Devoted to justice, his fairness marked his opinions, and accorded all their rights to persons charged with crimes. He was a member of the Executive Council, National Conference of Chief Justices.
A religious man, an elder of his church, he instituted prayer at opening sessions of Court. He was married to Mary Young Cooper.
He exemplified the finest qualities of a great judge — wisdom, insight, industry, courtesy and uncommon awareness of “ends which the law should serve,” he gave inspiration to lawyers and laymen alike who believe that the rule of law is the foundation of our liberty.