Wordless Wednesday: John Baxter Taylor, America’s First Black Olympic Gold Medalist
August 12th, 2009 by Ajuan Mance
John Baxter Taylor (far right), photographed with his University of Pennsylvania Track and Field teammates (1904 – 1905 team photograph)
(Source: University of Pennsylvania Archives Digital Image Collection)
John Baxter Taylor (1882 – 1908).
For a detailed biography, follow this link.
Posted by Ajuan Mance
Posted in African American Students, African Americans, Black History, Black Students, Higher Education, race
August 12th, 2009 at 6:06 am
That is a very cool old shot. So much history there. I notice that he got stuck on one end, but doesn’t seem to be any more shunned than the guys on the other row ends. I wonder how life on the team was for him.
August 12th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
The Olympic color scheme certainly is different today thanks to the forerunners who went out and showed em how it’s done.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
My wife’s grandfather, Mel Sheppard was on the winning 1908,Olympic gold 1600m relay team with John Taylor.We have always been honored. If John had not died so suddenly after the Olympics, his name & legacy would long be remembered. Thank you.