 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Born | 1861 Nova Scotia |
| Died | July 25, 1932 Norfolk, Massachusetts |
| Height | 5 ft 9.5 in (177 cm) |
| Weight | 140 lb (64 kg) |
| Spouse | Adelaide Cushman |
| Sport | |
| Sport | roller speed skating |
Kenneth A. Skinner (1861 – 25 July 1932) was a champion roller speed skater in the late nineteenth century.
Life
Skinner was born in 1861 in Nova Scotia and came to the United States at the age of 17. He married actress Adelaide Cushman in 1888. He died at Pondville State Hospital in Massachusetts in 1932.
Career
Skinner was considered the American champion speed skater in 1884, although this was before the sport was standardized by any governing body so definitive championships are hard to determine.
According to fellow skater Bright Star, Skinner was the inventor of ball bearing wheeled skates.
Skinner sometimes competed on skates against opponents on bicycles. Skinner lost these races, but not by much. Bicycles of the time were primitive.
According to the New York Clipper, Skinner "throws forward his chest in a most remarkable manner" while skating.
Races won
| Length | Time | Date | Location | Opponent(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 miles | 8:29.75 | 20 May 1883 | Boston | O'Rourke, Alliston | New England championship |
| 2 miles | 8:04 | F.G. Stumcke, A.F. Rivard | |||
| 1 mile | 4:15.75 | Boston | Bert C. Thayer | ||
| 5 miles | 22:29.75 | December 8, 1883 | Boston | B.L. Bailey | |
| 20 miles | 1:35:7 | January 22, 1884 | Haverhill | Ladd | American championship |
| 5 miles | 21:37 | Haverhill | Nate E. Clark | ||
| 4 miles | 17:36 | March 6, 1884 | Lynn | Nate E. Clark | |
| 5 miles | 20:9.25 | March 7, 1884 | Boston | Nate E. Clark |
Source: Roller skating made easy, 1884
References
- ^ "Kenneth A. Skinner, roller-skater". New York Clipper. Vol. 32, no. 44. January 17, 1885. p. 698. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- ^ "Kenneth A. Skinner: one-time world roller skating champion and early auto dealer". The New York Times. Norfolk, Massachusetts. July 27, 1932. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- ^ Smith, E. (1884). Roller skating made easy. Portland, Maine. pp. 72–74. LCCN 05024001.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Turner, James; Zaidman, Michael (1997). The History of Roller Skating. Lincoln, Nebraska: National Museum of Roller Skating. ISBN 0965819205.
- Diffendal, Anne P. (1989). "Fred "Bright Star" Murree: Pawnee Roller Skater" (PDF). Nebraska History. No. 70. Lincoln, Nebraska: Nebraska State Historical Society. pp. 158–163. Retrieved October 24, 2020.