Theo Barker
Encyclopedia
Theodore Cardwell Barker (19 July 1923 – 22 November 2001), usually known as Theo Barker, was a British social and economic historian.
, obtaining a first-class degree in Modern History
from Jesus College, Oxford
in 1948. He obtained a doctorate from the University of Manchester
in 1951, on the 19th century history of St Helens. This led to his first book, co-written with a school contemporary, John Harris, who had been researching St Helens in the 18th century. A Merseyside Town in the Industrial Revolution (1954) was influential in the emerging field of urban history. After teaching at the University of Aberdeen
for 1 year, Barker taught at the London School of Economics
between 1953 and 1964, when he became Professor of Economic and Social History at the newly-established University of Kent
. In 1976, he returned to the LSE and retired in 1983. He died on 22 November 2001.
and Worshipful Company of Pewterers
in 1968 and 1974 respectively. He served as president of the Railway and Canal Historical Society, as founding chairman of the Oral History Society and as secretary and then chairman of the British National Committee of Historians. He was not, however (despite his wishes), elected as a Fellow of the British Academy.
Life
Barker was born in St Helens, Lancashire, England on 19 July 1923. After schooling in the area, he studied at the University of OxfordUniversity of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, obtaining a first-class degree in Modern History
Modern history
Modern history, or the modern era, describes the historical timeline after the Middle Ages. Modern history can be further broken down into the early modern period and the late modern period after the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution...
from Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
in 1948. He obtained a doctorate from the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
in 1951, on the 19th century history of St Helens. This led to his first book, co-written with a school contemporary, John Harris, who had been researching St Helens in the 18th century. A Merseyside Town in the Industrial Revolution (1954) was influential in the emerging field of urban history. After teaching at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
for 1 year, Barker taught at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
between 1953 and 1964, when he became Professor of Economic and Social History at the newly-established University of Kent
University of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
. In 1976, he returned to the LSE and retired in 1983. He died on 22 November 2001.
Works
His work on the history of St Helens led to his researching the history of Pilkington Glass, which was based in the town. He published Pilkington Brothers And The Glass Industry in 1960. He was also interested in transport history, co-authoring A History Of London Transport: The 19th Century (1963), and contributing extensively to the 1974 volume about the 20th century. This interest led to him becoming chairman of the Transport History Research Trust. Other writings on related topics included The Transport Contractors Of Rye (1982) and The Rise And Rise of Road Transport, 1600–1990 (1993). He wrote histories of the Worshipful Company of CarpentersWorshipful Company of Carpenters
The Worshipful Company of Carpenters is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Carpenters were traditionally different from a fellow wood-crafting company, the Joiners' and Ceilers' Company, in that the Carpenters utilised nails while the Joiners used adhesives to attach wood.The...
and Worshipful Company of Pewterers
Worshipful Company of Pewterers
The Worshipful Company of Pewterers is a livery company of the United Kingdom. It is 16th in the order of precedence of livery companies. It has existed since at least 1348....
in 1968 and 1974 respectively. He served as president of the Railway and Canal Historical Society, as founding chairman of the Oral History Society and as secretary and then chairman of the British National Committee of Historians. He was not, however (despite his wishes), elected as a Fellow of the British Academy.