Marshall W. 'Major' Taylor; 1899 world champion bicycle racer.(LOCAL NEWS) From: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA) | Date: May 4, 2008 | COPYRIGHT 2008 Worcester Telegram & Gazette. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

COLUMN: LIFE & TIMES

An occasional series on Central Massachusetts people with enduring fame

Vital statistics

Born Nov. 26, 1878, in rural Indiana; moved to Worcester in 1895; died June 21, 1932, in a hospital charity ward in Chicago.

What he did

Mr. Taylor was considered the world's fastest cyclist from 1898 to 1904. Promoters deprived him of becoming the 1897 U.S. cycling champion by refusing to allow him to enter races in ...