Baker, Frank, 1910-1999

Methodist scholar and professor.

From the description of Papers, 1800-1972. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 39330931

From the description of Papers, 1800-[198-] (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 79290720

• 1910 Apr. 15: Born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, to Frank and Annie Elizabeth Baker
• 1931: B.A., University College of Hull, (external degree of University of London; honors)
• 1934: B.D., University of Manchester, England
• 1934 - 1959 : Minister of British Methodist Church in seven circuits, including Warminster, Westbury, Keighley, Bury, Ramsbottom, Mansfield, Cleethorpes, and Hull North
• 1936: Won Eayrs Essay Prize for "John Wesley's Christian Library," to which point he dated his interest in historical research
• 1937, Aug. 11: Married Ellen Eliza Levitt
• 1937: Ordained as a Methodist Minister
• 1947: Published A Charge to Keep: An Introduction to the People Called Methodists
• 1948: Publication of Charles Wesley as Revealed by His Letters
• 1951: Published The Methodist Pilgrim in England
• 1952: Published "The Rev. William Grimshaw (1708-1763) and the Eighteenth-Century Revival of Religion in England," thesis
• 1957: Publication of Methodism and the Love Feast
• 1960: Professor of English Church History in Department of Religion and in Divinity School, Duke University
• 1961: Appointed as Associate Editor and Archivist on the Wesley Works Editorial Board Duke purchased core of Frank Baker’s personal rare book and manuscript collection on the history of Methodism, later named the Frank Baker Collection of Wesleyana and British Methodism
• 1963: Edited Representative Verse of Charles Wesley
• 1963: Published William Grimshaw, 1708-1763
• 1966: Compiled A Union Catalogue of Publications of John and Charles Wesley
• 1969 - 1986 : Editor-in-Chief of the Wesley Works Editorial Project
• 1970: Published John Wesley and the Church of England
• 1976: Published From Wesley to Asbury: Studies in Early American Methodism
• 1980: Received Emeritus Status at Duke University
• 1980 - 1982 : Edited Letters I and II (the Correspondence of John Wesley)
• 1985: Introductor of The Heart of True Spirituality: John Wesley's Own Choice
• 1985: Served on editorial board for A History of the Methodist Church in Great Britain
• 1999 Oct. 11: Died in Durham, N.C.

Frank Baker also wrote over 200 articles, essays, and published papers, including 80 entries for the Encyclopedia of World Methodism

Memberships: World Methodist Historical Society (executive, 1970-1999?), Wesley Historical Society, Royal Historical Society, International Methodist Historical Society (joint secretary, 1947-1960), American Society of Church History.

From the guide to the Frank Baker papers, 1641-2002 and undated, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)