Arthur James Wilson

Arthur James Wilson (Faed Wilson) (1858–1945) was an English cyclist, 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.

In 1896 Wilson had his own advertising agency creating signs and posters when Ethel Maude Sayer joined him and his other five employees as a secretary. She had to put up with the shame of going into business and the struggle to operate in full-length skirts. Ethel could type, but she taught herself sign language so that she could interpret the things she heard for her boss. Because of her role as hearing assistant she was able to gain access to meetings that were usually men only. And because of her business skills, she became the business's company secretary when the company went public in 1899.

The Golden Book 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.