November
26, 1878: We Honor the Birth of Cyclist Marshall
“Major” Taylor, The First African American International Champion in Any Sport!
His
grandparents were enslaved. He was the
son of Civil War veteran Gilbert Taylor and Saphronia Kelter. His parents
migrated from Louisville , Kentucky
taking their 8 children to live on a farm in rural Indiana . Taylor 's father worked as a coachman for a
wealthy family who had a son the same age. The two boys became close friends
and at 8 years old, Taylor
moved in with the Southards to further his education.
While
living with the Southards four years, Taylor
got his first bicycle as a gift. He loved that bike and became such an expert
rider that the local bike shop owner hired him to attract clients to his shop.
Dressed in a soldier’s uniform, Taylor
performed bike stunts outside the shop, earning $6 a week, a new bike and the
nickname "Major.”
He
won his first amateur cycling race in 1891 at age 13. By 15 Taylor
was so fast and powerful he set a cycling record in Indianapolis ;
but the event that should have been an achievement for a young teen was marred
by racism when he was “hooted” and attacked by the crowd, then barred from
racing at the Indianapolis
track again.
Despite the setback, Taylor ’s skill caught the eye of a businessman named Louis
Munger who helped Taylor relocate to Middletown , Connecticut
before eventually settling in Worcester , Massachusetts , where his race did not hold him back as it
had in Indianapolis .
In 1902 Taylor toured
Europe, entering 57 races … winning 40, defeating the champions of Germany , England and France . He also competed in Australia and New Zealand ,
although due to religious convictions, he refused to race on Sundays.
An international celebrity, especially in France where cycling was king, Taylor 's
career was held back primarily by
racism in the US . There were times when he was barred
from competing or his bikes would be vandalized. Riders
often ganged up on Taylor , boxing him in to keep him from winning. In one
instance, Taylor was
physically attacked on the track by another rider, in front of the crowd of
spectators.
Despite the challenges, there were good times. March 21, 1902, Taylor married Daisy Morris, of Worcester , Massachusetts . Two
years later their daughter, Sydney was born while Taylor was racing in Australia .
See video with images from the life of Marshall “Major” Taylor !