Blakemore, Wm. Barnett (William Barnett), 1912-1975

William Barnett Blakemore, Jr. was born on July 22, 1912 in Perth, Australia to American parents. When Blakemore was six years old the family moved from Perth to Melbourne where his father served as minister of a large Melbourne church. In 1925 his parents' decision to reestablish American roots relocated the Blakemores to St. Louis, Missouri.

Blakemore earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at Washington University in 1933. A two year stint pursuing a career in science with a major St. Louis chemical firm followed. However, his aptitude for the ministry was soon recognized by St. Louis mentors who counseled him to consider refocusing his career. The Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago awarded Blakemore a scholarship in 1935 and he moved to Chicago and enrolled in the Divinity School of the University of Chicago to begin academic preparation for the ministry.

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