Florence Mary Taylor CBE (1879–1969) was a trailblazer in architecture, engineering and publishing. She was the first woman in Australia to qualify as an architect and held credentials in engineering and town planning. She was also an amateur aviator – reputedly the first woman to fly in a glider, built by her husband, George Taylor.
Florence lived and worked in Neutral Bay / Cremorne from 1907-1917, during which time she and George also ran a successful publishing business. Together they launched the hugely influential and remarkably sophisticated journal Building. Florence contributed regularly to the ‘Home Building Section’ and became an influential figure in shaping conversations around architecture and urban development in the early twentieth century.
Florence was a strong advocate for planning reforms that would improve Sydney’s built environment, and many of her ideas foreshadowed modern city planning principles. She promoted innovations in housing, public transport, green space and civic design. In 1920 she became the first female member of the NSW Institute of Architects.
Florence Taylor’s legacy is also embedded in the professional pathways she opened for women and in the thought leadership she provided through decades of publishing. Her connection to North Sydney reflects a period of bold thinking, ambition and innovation that continues to influence the area’s development today.
Find out more about Florence Mary Taylor CBE
- Stanton Library holds numerous books and historical files about Florence Mary Taylor CBE . View the Stanton Library Reading List
- Search ARCH, the Australian Architecture Database produced by Stanton Library
Further reading