The indispensable biography by James Pegolotti is highly recommended for anyone interested in Taylor’s life.
 

If one looks back on his achievements, even with his disappointments, it seems Taylor had a pretty good time. He was often happy and contented, and he gave people pleasure and edification. 
NY TIMES DEC 7, 2003

 ...it is a special challenge (and a delight, from my own personal experience) for anyone to set out to write the first major biography of a musical luminary who was influential in his day but has little name recognition among the current generation. That is what James A. Pegolotti has done with his engrossing Deems Taylor: A Biography, 
EUGENE H. CROPSY (OXFORD PRESS)