Emerson Baker
Encyclopedia
Emerson 'Tad' Baker II, Ph.D. (born 18 May 1958) is a historical archaeologist and professor
of history
at Salem State College
. Doctor Baker is well known in academic circles for his extensive work on witchcraft
in Colonial America
, as well as for his work on numerous archaeological sites along the East Coast
of the United States
. He currently resides in York, Maine
.
Baker was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
in 1958 and attended Applewild School
and Philips Academy. Before attending Bates College
in Lewiston, Maine
(where he would later meet his wife and play/lead the rugby club), Emerson spent a year in the UK studying at Cranleigh School
where he learned to play rugby. After graduating from Bates with a BA
in History, he went on to get his masters from the University of Maine at Orono in 1983. In 1986, Doctor Baker completed his dissertation on failed Anglo-Indian relations in early Maine and received his Ph.D.
in History from the College of William and Mary
under the guidance of James Axtell.
After receiving his Ph.D., Doctor Baker moved to Maine with his wife and was director of the York Institute Museum
until eventually taking a position at Salem State College in 1994, where he has remained since.
Doctor Baker's expertise on seventeenth century Maine led him to be one of the expert consultants on the PBS mini-series Colonial House
, and further resulted in him providing historical consultation for "Parks Canada
, National Geographic, Plimoth Plantation
, National Park Service
, Historic Salem Inc.
, Beverly Historical Society
and many historic district commissions." He has also served as an expert witness for matters archaeological in several court cases in both Nova Scotia
and Maine.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
at Salem State College
Salem State College
Salem State University is a four-year public institution of higher learning located in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem State University, established in 1854 as Salem Normal School, is located approximately fifteen miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. Salem State enrolls over 10,000 undergraduate and...
. Doctor Baker is well known in academic circles for his extensive work on witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
in Colonial America
Colonial America
The colonial history of the United States covers the history from the start of European settlement and especially the history of the thirteen colonies of Britain until they declared independence in 1776. In the late 16th century, England, France, Spain and the Netherlands launched major...
, as well as for his work on numerous archaeological sites along the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He currently resides in York, Maine
York, Maine
York is a town in York County, Maine, United States at the southwest corner of the state. The population in the 2000 census was 12,854. Situated beside the Atlantic Ocean on the Gulf of Maine, York is a well-known summer resort. It is home to three 18-hole golf clubs, three sandy beaches, and...
.
Baker was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
in 1958 and attended Applewild School
Applewild School
Applewild School is a private coeducational school in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Founded in 1957, it has approximately 270 students aged 5 to 15. There are 45 members of the teaching faculty, and an average class size of 13-15. Applewild School accepts students of any race, color, ethnic back round...
and Philips Academy. Before attending Bates College
Bates College
Bates College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine, in the United States. and was most recently ranked 21st in the nation in the 2011 US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. The college was founded in 1855 by abolitionists...
in Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state. The population was 41,592 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine...
(where he would later meet his wife and play/lead the rugby club), Emerson spent a year in the UK studying at Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School is an independent English boarding school in the village of Cranleigh, Surrey. It was founded in 1865 as a boys' school and started to admit girls in the early 1970s. It is now co-educational. The current headmaster is Guy de W...
where he learned to play rugby. After graduating from Bates with a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in History, he went on to get his masters from the University of Maine at Orono in 1983. In 1986, Doctor Baker completed his dissertation on failed Anglo-Indian relations in early Maine and received his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in History from the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
under the guidance of James Axtell.
After receiving his Ph.D., Doctor Baker moved to Maine with his wife and was director of the York Institute Museum
York, Maine
York is a town in York County, Maine, United States at the southwest corner of the state. The population in the 2000 census was 12,854. Situated beside the Atlantic Ocean on the Gulf of Maine, York is a well-known summer resort. It is home to three 18-hole golf clubs, three sandy beaches, and...
until eventually taking a position at Salem State College in 1994, where he has remained since.
Doctor Baker's expertise on seventeenth century Maine led him to be one of the expert consultants on the PBS mini-series Colonial House
Colonial house
American colonial architecture includes several building design styles associated with the colonial period of the United States, including First Period English , French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Dutch Colonial, German Colonial and Georgian Colonial...
, and further resulted in him providing historical consultation for "Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
, National Geographic, Plimoth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation is a living museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts that shows the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established in the 17th century by English colonists, some of whom later became known as Pilgrims. They were among the first people who emigrated to America to avoid religious...
, National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
, Historic Salem Inc.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
, Beverly Historical Society
Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
and many historic district commissions." He has also served as an expert witness for matters archaeological in several court cases in both Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and Maine.
Works
- The Clarke & Lake Company: The Historical Archaeology of a Seventeenth-Century Maine Settlement ASIN B001U7I9A0 (1985)
- American Beginnings: Exploration, Culture and Cartography in the Land of Norumbega ISBN 0803245548 (1995)
- The New England Knight: Sir William Phips, 1651-1695 ISBN 0802081711 (1998)
- The Devil of Great Island: Witchcraft and Conflict in Early New England ISBN 1403972079 (2007)