Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor (1878–1932) was one of the most remarkable athletes of his time and a trailblazer in the world of professional cycling. Born in Indianapolis, he rose to fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the first African American to achieve international success in cycling—a sport then dominated by white athletes. Known for his incredible speed and stamina, Taylor became the world sprint champion in 1899 and set numerous world records during his career. His achievements were even more significant given the racial prejudice he faced, often being barred from races, subjected to hostility from competitors, and denied opportunities because of his race. Despite these challenges, Taylor persevered and became a symbol of excellence, determination, and resilience.
Today, Major Taylor is remembered and honored as both a pioneering athlete and a civil rights figure. His legacy has been preserved through cycling clubs, memorials, and educational initiatives around the world. Numerous “Major Taylor Cycling Clubs” exist across the United States and internationally, bringing together riders of all backgrounds in his honor. Statues and historical markers, including a prominent one at the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts—where Taylor lived during much of his career—commemorate his contributions to sports and society. Streets, trails, and velodromes have also been named after him, ensuring that his name remains connected to the sport he helped elevate.
In addition to these public memorials, Major Taylor’s story is taught and celebrated as an inspiration for perseverance in the face of adversity. Museums and historical societies frequently highlight his achievements, and cycling events dedicated to his memory continue to bring awareness to his accomplishments. Through these tributes, Major Taylor is honored not only as a champion cyclist but also as a figure who broke barriers and paved the way for greater inclusion in sports. His life continues to inspire athletes and advocates for equality more than a century after his racing days.
Bibliography
The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World by Marshall W Major Taylor
Major Taylor: The Inspiring Story of a Black Cyclist and the Men Who Helped Him Achieve Worldwide Fame by Conrad Kerber, Terry Kerber, Greg LeMond (Foreword by)
Major Taylor in Australia by Jim Fitzpatrick, Roey Fitzpatrick (Designed by)
The World’s Fastest Man: The Extraordinary Life of Cyclist Major Taylor, America’s First Black Sports Hero by Michael Kranish
Children’s Books
Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist by Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E. Ransome (Illustrator)
Major Taylor: World Cycling Champion by Charles R. Smith Jr., Leo Espinosa (Illustrator)
Filmography/Video
(2025) Discovering Major Taylor: One Man’s Perspective | A tribute to a forgotten champion | 2025 Revision
(26min)
https://youtu.be/mdc4XhJ-C4g?si=Qw6D1zeWNzsogLWF
This video was inspired and based on the Major Taylor biography written by Conrad & Terry Kerber. Produced by Richard
& Christie Beattie for debut screening at the annual Bikes, Blues & Bayous cycling event in Greenwood, Mississippi on
August 6, 2022. Dedicated to the cycling clubs of the Major Taylor Association, especially Major Taylor Memphis and Soul
City Cycling.
(2024) Major Taylor: Champion of the Race
https://youtu.be/nzDn3Ifmd0k?si=tEhg3YMEjncd8IIh
Special | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions | CC
This WTIU documentary examines the life and accomplishments of Major Taylor, the world’s first Black sports superstar
and early civil rights pioneer. Throughout his storied, yet largely forgotten, career, Taylor set more than 20 world speed
records and was one of most famous people on three continents, all while battling segregation in Jim Crow America.
(2024) The World’s Fastest Man | Major Taylor Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzDn3Ifmd0k
“Major Taylor: Champion of the Race” retraces the life and legacy of an American civil rights pioneer who set more than
20 world records in track cycling during the heart of Jim Crow America. By the time he was in his early 20s, Major Taylor
had captured the world cycling championship, the American cycling crown, and had set dozens of world track cycling
records – all while having to endure withering racial pressures. The film is narrated by acclaimed opera mezzo-soprano
Marietta Simpson, with jazz legend Branford Marsalis reading and interpreting written quotes from Major Taylor. Five-time
Emmy Award winning composer/musician Tyron Cooper is crafting a soundtrack for the documentary. The film features
interviews with many top historians, archivists, athletes and activists, who each provide added insight in Taylor’s life and
times.
The Story of Major Taylor | Simple History
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7g11YjuztI
Aug 2, 2024 Black History | Bedtime History
Dive into the remarkable story of Major Taylor, one of the first African American world champions in sports and a pioneering figure in cycling. Born in 1878 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Taylor rose to fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a professional cyclist, overcoming racial prejudice and adversity to become the world’s fastest cyclist. Known for his incredible speed and stamina, he set numerous world records and won the world championship in 1899. Despite facing discrimination and hostility on and off the track, Taylor’s dedication and resilience made him a trailblazer in both sports and civil rights. In this video, we explore his career highlights, personal challenges, and the enduring legacy he left in the world of cycling and beyond. Join us in celebrating the life of this extraordinary athlete who paved the way for future generations. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories
(2024) Racing Against the Odds: Major Taylor and the Golden Age of Cycling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhazMIGMs3w
Join the Charles River Museum for an inspiring look at the life and times of Major Taylor, one of the most consequential athletes in American sports history. Taylor was racing on the national and international stage at a time when the U.S. was deeply segregated. He combatted both racial prejudice and systemic barriers to triumph as the ‘world’s fastest man’. The legendary African American cyclist and the Charles Metz Company of Waltham, MA., were deeply intertwined through the golden age of bicycle racing and innovation. Taylor raced on Metz’s “Orient” bicycles, and his sprinting ability and speed on the lightweight Orient bikes brought him national fame during the rise of cycling as a competitive sport in America. However, as the 20th century progressed, the bicycle industry began to decline, largely due to the rise of automobiles. Charles Metz himself shifted his focus from bicycles to cars, founding the Metz Company in 1909, marking the end of an era for Waltham’s bicycle production. Still, Taylor’s triumphs in the face of racial diversity remain a lasting legacy of both his own perserverance, and the innovations of the Waltham-based Metz Company.
(2018) The Six Day Race: The Story of Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor, Colin Barnicle (Director) (7min)
https://youtu.be/HdBUSkYmeP8?si=xMQIu9klEPSlpjPh
Marshall “Major” Taylor broke down barriers to become the first African-American world champion of any sport. Relive his
story now.