David W. Taylor

David Watson Taylor
Taylor in 1917
Born(1864-03-04)March 4, 1864
Louisa County, Virginia, C.S.
DiedJuly 28, 1940(1940-07-28) (aged 76)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch United States Navy
Rank Rear admiral
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Legion of Honor
John Fritz Medal
Franklin Medal (1917)

David Watson Taylor (March 4, 1864 July 28, 1940) was an American naval architect and an engineer in the United States Navy. He served during World War I as Chief Constructor of the Navy, and Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair. Taylor is best known as the man who constructed the first experimental towing tank ever built in the United States.