Edgar Crow Baker
Encyclopedia
Edgar Crow Baker was a Canadian politician from British Columbia
.
Baker was born in Lambeth
, then part of Surrey, England, the son of Edward William Whitley Baker, and was educated at the Royal Hospital School
in Greenwich
. In 1860, he entered the Royal Navy
, serving as a navigating lieutenant and retiring at the rank of major in 1878. In 1869, he married Frances Mary Jones. He settled in Victoria, British Columbia
and became a prominent accountant, real estate conveyancer
and notary. Baker, often known as Crow Baker professionally, prospered and became one of the wealthiest men in the city. Baker served as the Grandmaster of the Masonic Grand Lodge of British Columbia
.He entered civic politics as an alderman in Victoria. Baker switched to federal politics when Prime Minister John A. Macdonald
vacated his seat in the Victoria district
to return to an Ontario seat. He was elected to parliament
as a Conservative
, along with colleague Noah Shakespeare
in the 1882 federal election
. Baker was re-elected in 1887
but would later resign his seat, in 1889.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
Baker was born in Lambeth
London Borough of Lambeth
The London Borough of Lambeth is a London borough in south London, England and forms part of Inner London. The local authority is Lambeth London Borough Council.-Origins:...
, then part of Surrey, England, the son of Edward William Whitley Baker, and was educated at the Royal Hospital School
Royal Hospital School
The Royal Hospital School, , is a British co-educational independent boarding school with naval traditions. It admits pupils from age 11 to 18 through Common Entrance or the school's own exam...
in Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
. In 1860, he entered the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, serving as a navigating lieutenant and retiring at the rank of major in 1878. In 1869, he married Frances Mary Jones. He settled in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
and became a prominent accountant, real estate conveyancer
Conveyancing
In law, conveyancing is the transfer of legal title of property from one person to another, or the granting of an encumbrance such as a mortgage or a lien....
and notary. Baker, often known as Crow Baker professionally, prospered and became one of the wealthiest men in the city. Baker served as the Grandmaster of the Masonic Grand Lodge of British Columbia
Grand Lodge
A Grand Lodge, or "Grand Orient", is the usual governing body of "Craft", or "Blue Lodge", Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction. The first Masonic Grand Lodge was established in England in 1717 as the Premier Grand Lodge of England....
.He entered civic politics as an alderman in Victoria. Baker switched to federal politics when Prime Minister John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
vacated his seat in the Victoria district
Victoria (electoral district)
Victoria is a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1872 to 1904 and since 1925....
to return to an Ontario seat. He was elected to parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
as a Conservative
Conservative Party of Canada (historical)
The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the...
, along with colleague Noah Shakespeare
Noah Shakespeare
Noah Shakespeare was a Canadian politician from British Columbia noted for his involvement in the anti-Chinese movement....
in the 1882 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1882
The Canadian federal election of 1882 was held on June 20, 1882 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 5th Parliament of Canada.Prime Minister Sir John A...
. Baker was re-elected in 1887
Canadian federal election, 1887
The Canadian federal election of 1887 was held on February 22, 1887 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 6th Parliament of Canada.The Conservative Party of Prime Minister Sir John A...
but would later resign his seat, in 1889.