To talk about fastest cyclist

On Tuesday, May 14, 20129 at 7:00 pm, in the Indiana State Museum’s auditorium in Indianapolis, noted investigative reporter Michael Kranish will discuss Hoosier cyclist Marshall “Major” Taylor and sign copies of his new book, “The World’s Fastest Man: The Extraordinary Life of Cyclist Major Taylor, America’s First Black Sports Hero.”

      “Major Taylor was not just this nation’s first black sports hero, he was a champion of equality who belongs in the pantheon of civil rights leaders,” said author Kranish. “Taylor’s family donated his personal papers to the Indiana State Museum so that his story could be preserved for future generations, and these were an irreplaceable resource that was crucial in my research for this book.”

Taylor (1878-1932) was a Black cyclist in the late 1800s, a time when the sport was overwhelmingly dominated by white athletes. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Taylor would go on to win races in the U.S. and abroad. By 1898, Taylor had become a champion racer, setting seven world records.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event, and the book will be available to the public beginning May 7.

America’s First Black Sports HeroMichael KranishThe World’s Fastest Man: The Extraordinary Life of Cyclist Major Taylor