Arthur James Wilson (Faed Wilson) (1858–1945) was an English cyclist, [1] cycling administrator, activist and journalist. He became deaf at age 12 after contracting scarlet fever and Faed was a self-applied anagram of 'deaf'. He was a member of the National Cyclists' Union executive committee and joint editor of the Bicycling Times and Touring Gazette. A founder member of the North Road Cycle club in 1885 he was associated with the industry, the sport, the journalism and the pastime of cycling and touring. [2]
He began cycling at the age of eleven and became deaf at age 12 after contracting scarlet fever, Faed was a self applied anagram of deaf.
He joined Dunlop tyres in 1890 working at their Dublin offices. When they moved their operations to England in 1893 he worked for them as a manager in London. [3]
Faed worked for over 50 years as an administrator of cycling, co-founding the 'North London Tricycling Club' (now renamed the 'North London Cycling Club'), the 'North Road Cycling Club', the 'Irish Road Club', the ' Road Records Association', and the 'Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund'. [2]
His influence ranged from the design of the tandem bicycle to the original rules for road time-trials prior to 1900. [2]
As a cyclist he won the 1886 North Road C.C. 50 Mile Road Championship together with champion cyclist Charlie Liles on a tandem. [4]
Arthur Wilson's achievements were celebrated in 1938 when Cycling Weekly awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling, which is now held in 'The Pedal Club' archive. [2]