Taylor Gordon and John Ringling
As a young man, Taylor Gordon worked for circus impresario John Ringling as his valet and as the porter on Ringling’s private railway car. Taylor is mentioned by Henry Ringling North in his autobiography The Circus Kings: Our Ringling Family Story. He relates several incidents revealing something about the relationship between Taylor and Ringling.
Robert Ringling, John’s nephew, was an opera singer, and although possessed of a good baritone voice, “It must be admitted that Uncle John could not stand him.”
Henry Ringling North continues:
I remember one evening when Robert came . . . prepared to give us a marvelously enjoyable evening, and Uncle John naughtily said, “I have a treat for you, Robert.”
He called in his valet, Taylor Gordon, who was studying voice on the side, and Manny (as we called him) sang for hours while Bob listened as gracefully as possible. (172)
