 William Taylor was born in 1744, the fifth son of Robert Taylor (possibly a land factor) of Trinity-Gask in Perthshire.He received his early education in the parochial school in the neighbouring Parish of Fowlis (or Foullis) Wester and proceeded to Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.A..It was not until he was 28 that he was ordained Minister of the High Kirk, Paisley (22 July 1772), perhaps indicating some difficulties in getting an initial position.