Repository: ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title: Marshall W. "Major" Taylor Scrapbooks
Creator: Taylor, Major
Collection Number: AIS.1984.07
Extent: 1 microfilm_reel (922 frames, 35mm, positive and negative)
Date: 1897-1904
Abstract: Marshall W. ("Major") Taylor, a professional African-American bicycle racer, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 26, 1878. The scrapbooks document, through newsclippings from American and foreign presses, the climate of racial opinion in America and abroad as well as Taylor's reactions along with providing more factual information about professional cycling as a national and international sport. Digital reproductions of the microfilm are available online.
Language: English .
Author: Archives Service Center Staff. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process on August 6, 2003.
Publisher: ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address: University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Biography

Marshall W. ("Major") Taylor, a professional African-American bicycle racer, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 26, 1878. He started racing in Indianapolis and was eventually barred from competition. Around 1895, Taylor moved with his trainer, Louis D. ("Birdie") Munger to Worcester, Massachusetts. Taylor further developed his talent which led to three consecutive American sprint points championships, from 1898-1900, and a world championship in the mile sprint in Montreal on August 12, 1899. "Major" Taylor then embarked on competitive tours of Europe and Australia. As a black athlete in a characteristically all-white profession, Taylor attracted attention and commentary and faced unusual challenges and pressures.

Scope and Content Notes

The scrapbooks document, through newsclippings from American and foreign presses, the climate of racial opinion in America and abroad as well as Taylor's reactions along with providing more factual information about professional cycling as a national and international sport. "Major" Taylor's autobiography, The Fastest Bicycle Racer in the World, was published in 1928, four years before his death (a copy can be obtained from the Hillman Library, African-American Collection, call number - GV 1051 T3A3). An article in The Pittsburgh Press from April 29, 1984 includes an interview with Mrs. Sydney Taylor Brown, of Pittsburgh, Taylor's only child.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Mrs. Sydney Taylor Brown in 1984.

Preferred Citation

Marshall W. "Major" Taylor Scrapbooks, 1897-1904, AIS.1984.07, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh

Previous Citation

Marshall W. "Major" Taylor Scrapbooks, 1897-1904, AIS.1984.07, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Marshall Walter Taylor Scrapbooks, 1897-1904, ais 84:7 Micro, Archives of Industrial Society, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15260

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Archives Service Center staff in 1984.

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of the collection are available online.

Existence and Location of Originals

Original records are in the possession of Mrs. Sydney Taylor Brown.

Bibliography

Balf, Todd. Major: a black athlete, a white era, and the fight to be the world's fastest human being. New York: Crown Publishers, 2008.
Ritchie, Andrew. Major Taylor: The extraordinary career of a champion bicycle racer. Mill Valley, CA: Bicycle Books, Inc., 1988.
Taylor, Major. The fastest bicycle rider in the world: the story of a colored boy's indomitable courage and success against great odds.Worcester, MA: Wormley Publishing, 1928.