William B. Baker

Research into the works of his great-great-grandfather William Henry Baker, a portrait painter who emigrated from England to the U.S. and founded what later became the Brooklyn Academy of Art, resulted in a biography, published in a very limited edition for members of his family.Baker's quest turned up many paintings, in museums and private collections, and photographs of which were reproduced in this book.

Baker was born on March 5, 1924, in Buffalo.After his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he earned his undergraduate degree at Hobart College, his master's at the University of Chicago and his doctorate at Northwestern University.

He taught at several colleges and universities before coming to Wright State, including a year (1962–63) as director of the Center for American Studies in Milan, Italy, and several years as academic vice president of Rockford College in Illinois.

He was a passionate lover of literature, music, theater and art.His love of reading led him to start a Great Books discussion group that meets regularly at the Yellow Springs Library, and he was a member of an informal discussion group that meets monthly in local residents' homes.He was also an organizer of a small group of academics from around Ohio and Michigan who have met annually for 20 years at different places around the state to share their interests in literature, history and art.

In recent years Baker was a regular member of the group that gathered each morning at The Emporium for coffee and lively conversation.

He is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Jane Hill Baker; three children, Pamela Baker of Chicago, William B. Baker of Buena Vista, Colo., and Priscilla Walker of Boulder, Colo.; their mother, Lois Tukey Baker of Chicago; two stepchildren, David Hill and Sidney Leonard, both of Massachusetts; a sister, Janet Swearer, of Providence, R.I.; five grandchildren; and three nephews.

Contributions in memory of William Baker may be made to the Yellow Springs Community Foundation (P.O. Box 55, Yellow Springs, OH 45387).Plans for a memorial celebration will be announced soon.