Edwin Albert Baker, (January 9, 1893 – April 7, 1968) was a
Canadian
Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...
co-founder of the
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).
Born in
Collins Bay, Ontario, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from
Queen's University in 1914 and later that year enlisted with the Sixth Field Company, Canadian Engineers. In 1915, he was wounded in France, losing his sight in both eyes.
In 1918, he and six others founded the CNIB. He served as first Vice-President from 1918 to 1920 and Managing Director & General Secretary from 1920 until his retirement in 1962.
He married Jessie Robinson. They had three sons and a daughter.
Honours
* In 1935, he was made an Officer of the
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
.
* In 1938, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Queen's University, and in 1945, the same from the
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 ...
.
*
Croix de Guerre
* In 1967, he was made a Companion of the
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit.
To coincide with the cen ...
.
Related book
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References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Edwin
1893 births
1968 deaths
Canadian military personnel of World War I
Companions of the Order of Canada
Recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)
Canadian Officers of the Order of the British Empire
People from Frontenac County
Queen's University at Kingston alumni
Canadian recipients of the Military Cross
Canadian blind people