MenuInventory of the Charles Baker Journals, 1859, 1861-1879, 1900-1904
Abstract
English businessman and schoolmaster.
Manuscript journal written in 25 annual vols. of Lett's Diary. Years included are 1859, 1861-1879, and 1900-1904. Volume 1870 has been rehoused into 7 different parts.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Baker, Charles.
- Title
- Charles Baker Journals, 1859, 1861-1879, 1900-1904
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 5.0 Linear Feet, 32 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
Manuscript journal written in 25 annual vols. of Lett's Diary. In the early volumes, Baker lived in Bayswater, England, and was a partner in a firm in the Colonial Commission trade. He wrote of attending plays, concerts, and sporting events. He spent much of his time working among boys and young men at the West London Youths Institute. Although married with children, he wrote of his great affection for boys, and sometimes mentioned taking them home and sleeping with them. He described marital discord caused by his wife's "cold" treatment of particular boys. In 1875, his wife left him.
Entries also document his financial difficulties, which necessitated his borrowing large sums of money and which culminated in bankruptcy in 1875. He attempted to open a school in 1877, but had few students due to "terrible scandals," which he attributed to his wife. By 1875, he had been ordained into the Church of England, and the later volumes describe his life as a curate in various parishes. In 1902, he signed on as chaplain on the S.S. Macquerie on a 3-month voyage to Australia, but left the ship in Melbourne with the atheist Captain angry at him. At the end of the last journal, he was living in his home town of Derby.
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllJournals, 1859-1904
Historical Note
English businessman and schoolmaster.
Subject Headings
- Baker, Charles.
- Macquerie (Ship)
- West London Youths Institute.
- Church of England--Clergy--History--19th century.
- Teachers--Great Britain--19th century.
- Marital conflict--Great Britain--19th century.
- Homosexuality--Great Britain--History--19th century.
- Gay clergy--Great Britain.
- Military chaplains--Great Britain--History.
- Great Britain--Social life and customs--19th century.
- Pedophilia--Great Britain--19th century.
- Diaries.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Charles Baker Journals, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Charles Baker Journals were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in 1985.
Processing Information
Processed by Rubenstein Library Staff
Encoded by Meghan Lyon, April 2011
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.