Who Was Major Taylor?

Born in Indianapolis

A Champion Against All Odds

Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor was born on November 26, 1878 in Indianapolis, Indiana — shortly after the end of slavery — to Gilbert and Saphronia Taylor. His father had served in the Civil War as a coachman for a wealthy family, an arrangement that allowed young Marshall to grow up alongside the family's children and receive an early education.

At age 13, Taylor began working at a bicycle shop, where he performed tricks in a military uniform that earned him the nickname "Major." His natural talent on the bike quickly became apparent, and by his early teens he was racing — and winning — against riders many years his senior.

But Taylor raced in an era of vicious racial segregation. He was banned from racetracks in the South, attacked by fellow riders who tried to knock him off his bike mid-race, and faced constant threats and discrimination. Despite all of this, he never responded with hatred.

"All these world records and nobody knew of him."

— George Harper, Founding President, Major Taylor Cycling Club Columbus (1979)

Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor, c. 1890s

The Career

World Champion

On December 3, 1899, in Montreal, Canada, Marshall Taylor became the first Black American to win a world championship in any sport — claiming the sprint cycling world title. He was 21 years old.

When racism at home made racing difficult, Taylor took his talent to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. He was received as a superstar. In 1901 alone, he won 42 of 57 European races he entered, racing in France, Germany, Belgium, and beyond.

He set seven world records between 1898 and 1900. The European cycling press called him "The Black Cyclone" and "The Worcester Whirlwind." Wherever he raced, he drew sellout crowds.

In 1901, Taylor won in Roubaix, France — the same city that now hosts the world-famous Paris-Roubaix race, and the home of the Major Taylor Cycling Club Roubaix, one of MTICA's international affiliates today.

Key Career Milestones

1891 Began working at bicycle shop in Indianapolis, age 13
1896 First professional race; joined Cycling Club of Worcester, MA
1898–1900 Set 7 world sprint records
1899 World Cycling Champion — first Black American world champion in any sport
1901 Won 42 of 57 European races — dominated France, Germany, Belgium
1902–1909 Continued racing in Europe and Australia; retired in 1910
1932 Passed away in Chicago, buried in Mount Glenwood Cemetery

Watch

The Story of Major Taylor

Learn more about the life and legacy of Marshall "Major" Taylor through these documentary features and news reports.

Full Documentary · PBS / WTIU

Major Taylor: Champion of the Race — Full Documentary

The Six-Day Race

One of the Most Grueling Spectacles in Sports History

Before the Super Bowl, before the World Series, the Six-Day Race was among the most popular sporting events in America. Held in packed arenas like Madison Square Garden, cyclists rode nearly around the clock for six straight days — testing endurance, speed, and sheer willpower in front of massive crowds. Major Taylor was one of the greatest competitors this event ever saw. At a time when Black athletes were barred from most professional sports, Taylor took the velodrome by storm — racing against and defeating the best riders in the world, night after night, and earning the admiration of fans who had never before cheered for a Black champion.

CBS News Feature

Watch on CBS News →

Legacy

Gone But Not Forgotten

Taylor's grave marker, dedicated in 1948 by the Bicycle Racing Stars of the 19th Century Association, says it best.

"Dedicated to the memory of
Marshall Walter 'Major' Taylor
1878 – 1932

Worlds Champion Bicycle Racer
who came up the hard way
without hatred in his heart.
An honest, courageous and God fearing,
clean living gentlemanly athlete.
A credit to his race who always
gave out his best.

Gone but not forgotten."

— Bicycle Racing Stars 19th Century Association, dedicated May 23, 1948

Rediscovery & the Movement

For decades after his death, Taylor's legacy lay largely forgotten. In 1979, George Harper and a group of cycling friends in Columbus, Ohio, stumbled across his story and were inspired to dedicate their club to him. That single act of remembrance sparked a movement that now spans 90+ clubs across 35 states and 5 countries.

"His spirit was one of inclusiveness, a unifying element. 'Let's bring everyone together because we have a common goal.'" — Jed Romura, founding vice president, Columbus club.

Visit the Major Taylor Association →

Honoring Taylor Today

The Bronzeville Trail Task Force in Chicago — based at the historic Wabash Avenue YMCA in Bronzeville, a place Major Taylor once called home — has established the Major Taylor Initiative to advocate for the formal recognition of Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor. MTICA is a proud partner in this effort.

"We want Major Taylor to be recognized in the annals of history and the pantheon of great African-Americans who had excelled in a sport. We want him to be mentioned in the same breath as Jackie Robinson, as Michael Jordan — and he lived here in Chicago, died in Chicago."

— Bronzeville Trail Task Force, Major Taylor Initiative

The campaign includes working to place Major Taylor street signs in every city where he raced, pursuing a Congressional Gold Medal in his honor, and advocating for a U.S. postage stamp bearing his name. A Change.org petition has already gathered 1,500+ signatures in support.

"We're working on a congressional initiative to get Major Taylor honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor and we are also going to try to get a stamp in his name and honor as well."

— Darius Lawrence, Major Taylor Cycling Club of Chicago

Michigan has already declared an official Major Taylor Day. MTICA is working to expand that recognition to every U.S. state. His great-granddaughter, Karen Brown Donovan, is among those who have joined the call: "It's very important for people to know about Taylor, even if he was not related to me. He had an extraordinary life."

Major Taylor competed across the United States throughout his career. Confirmed racing cities include:

Indianapolis, IN New York City, NY Brooklyn, NY Worcester, MA Boston, MA Philadelphia, PA New Haven, CT Syracuse, NY Chicago, IL Salt Lake City, UT Providence, RI Newark, NJ Buffalo, NY Baltimore, MD Washington, DC Pittsburgh, PA St. Louis, MO

Major Taylor Initiative → Read CBS Chicago Story

Visit in Person

Indiana State Museum

One of Major Taylor's only remaining bicycles is on display at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis — alongside historical artifacts documenting the racism he endured and overcome. A powerful, must-see exhibit for any cyclist or history lover.

Learn More

In the News

Major Taylor in the Media

A growing wave of coverage is bringing Major Taylor's story to new audiences nationwide.

CBS Boston · February 2022

Major Taylor, 'The Jackie Robinson Of Cycling', Honored In Worcester With Museum And Monument

Worcester, MA — where Major Taylor spent much of his life — now honors him with a monument and a dedicated museum at the Old Worcester Courthouse. "If I only had two seconds, I would say he's the Jackie Robinson of cycling. He broke the color barrier — and we should be saying it was the other way around, because Major Taylor did this half a century before Jackie Robinson." — Lynne Tolman, President, Major Taylor Association.

Read on CBS Boston →

CBS Chicago · February 2023

Bronzeville Trail Task Force Starts Initiative to Honor Black Hero, Cyclist Major Taylor

At Chicago's historic Wabash Avenue YMCA — once home to Major Taylor — his great-granddaughter Karen Brown Donovan joined supporters to launch campaigns for a Congressional Gold Medal, a U.S. postage stamp, and a Change.org petition now with 1,500+ signatures. "It's very important for people to know about Taylor, even if he was not related to me. He had an extraordinary life." — Karen Brown Donovan.

Read on CBS Chicago →

CBS News · June 2022

"He went against all odds": First Black American to win world championship

Hundreds of cyclists traveled to Indianapolis for Juneteenth to honor Major Taylor — a champion who broke barriers nearly 50 years before Jackie Robinson. MTICA President Bill Gaston: "My goal was just to get people together so we could talk. I never knew this is what would come out of it."

Read on CBS News →

"Life is too short for a man to hold bitterness in his heart."

— Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor

Learn More

Marshall Walter
"Major" Taylor

A Champion Against All Odds