John Paul Jones was an American track athlete who set several world records in the mile, including the first mile record to be ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations in 1913. John Paul Jones (United States) set the men's mile world record of 4:14.4 in Allston, Mass. on May 31, 1913. It stood 2.1 years, until Norman Taber's 4:12.6 on July 16, 1915. Wiki link