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 LengthTimeDateLocationOpponent(s)Notes2 miles8:29.7520 May 1883BostonO'Rourke, AllistonNew England championship2 miles8:04 F.G. Stumcke, A.F. Rivard1 mile4:15.75 BostonBert C. Thayer5 miles22:29.75December 8, 1883BostonB.L. Bailey20 miles1:35:7January 22, 1884HaverhillLaddAmerican championship5 miles21:37 HaverhillNate E. Clark4 miles17:36March 6, 1884LynnNate E. Clark5 miles20:9.25March 7, 1884BostonNate E. Clark Source: Roller skating made easy, 1884
References