Bill Taggart

Founder of the Humanity Front and vocal opponent of augmentation technology.

William Taggart is the founder of the Humanity Front, an anti-augmentation group. He is a key figure in the debate over augmentation technology, arguing against its use on moral and social grounds. Taggart presents himself as a calm and reasonable voice, but his true motives and connections to larger conspiracies are revealed as the story progresses.

Quick Facts

Role: Founder of the Humanity Front
Affiliation: Humanity Front, Illuminati
First appears: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Status: Deceased

Lore & Background

William Taggart is introduced as the founder of the Humanity Front, an organization that opposes the use of mechanical augmentations. He argues that augmentations create a dangerous social divide and that humanity should reject them in favor of natural human abilities. Taggart is a charismatic speaker and appears in public broadcasts to promote his message. During the events of Human Revolution, he becomes involved in the conspiracy surrounding the attack on Sarif Industries and the development of a way to end Neuropozyne dependence.

Taggart's true allegiance is to the Illuminati, and he works to manipulate events to further their goals. He ultimately reveals that he was part of a plan to discredit augmentation technology by causing a catastrophic incident, using Hugh Darrow's broadcast to trigger a global panic. Depending on the player's choices, Taggart can be confronted and killed, or allowed to continue his work.

Reader's Guide

William Taggart is a central figure in the conspiracy that drives the plot of Human Revolution. As the founder of the Humanity Front, he publicly opposes augmentation technology, but his true role is as a member of the Illuminati. He works with other conspirators, including Hugh Darrow and Zhao Yun Ru, to orchestrate a plan that will turn the world against augmentations. Taggart's key moment comes during the final act of the game, when he reveals his involvement in the plot to use Darrow's broadcast to trigger a global panic.

Players can choose to confront Taggart in his office at the Humanity Front headquarters. Depending on the player's actions, Taggart can be killed or spared. If spared, he continues to advocate for his cause, but his reputation is tarnished by the revelation of his conspiracy. Taggart's character highlights the themes of manipulation and the use of fear to control society, as well as the moral ambiguity of the augmentation debate.