Kenneth Skinner - Wikiwand

Champion roller speed skater from the late nineteenth century

NationalityCanadian

DiedJuly 25, 1932
Norfolk, Massachusetts

Height5 ft 9.5 in (177 cm)

Kenneth A. Skinner
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.

Skinner was born in 1861^[1] in Nova Scotia and came to the United States at the age of 17.^[2] He married actress Adelaide Cushman in 1888.^[2] He died at Pondville State Hospital in Massachusetts in 1932.^[2]

Career

Skinner was considered the American champion speed skater in 1884,^[3] although this was before the sport was standardized by any governing body so definitive championships are hard to determine.^[4]

According to fellow skater Bright Star, Skinner was the inventor of ball bearing wheeled skates.^[5]

Skinner sometimes competed on skates against opponents on bicycles. Skinner lost these races, but not by much.^[3] Bicycles of the time were primitive.

According to the New York Clipper, Skinner "throws forward his chest in a most remarkable manner" while skating.^[1]

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^[3]

References

1 2 "Kenneth A. Skinner, roller-skater". New York Clipper. Vol. 32, no. 44. January 17, 1885. p. 698. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
1 2 3 "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.
1 2 3 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.

Races won

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