George Anthony Barber
Encyclopedia
George Anthony Barber was an English
-born educator who emigrated to Canada, where he was Toronto's first school superintendent and became known as the father of Canadian cricket.
Barber was born in 1802 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England. He emigrated to Canada
in 1826. After teaching in York
for three years, he joined the Upper Canada College
staff when it first opened in 1829. There he was also involved in the finances and a scandal that occurred in 1839. The scandal, details of which are hazy, also involved Bishop John Strachan
and caused Barber's dismissal.
At about this time, Barber had started a public accounting business which he continued throughout his life. He became auditor for the city of Toronto
soon after Upper Canada College and also edited the Toronto Herald until its demise.
In 1844, he became the first superintendent of schools for Toronto and was involved with the board of education
in some capacity until his death. He was part of the period of critical growth for this community resource.
An avid sportsman, his particular interest in cricket
led to some popularity of the sport in Canada and the establishment of the Toronto Cricket Club in 1827.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born educator who emigrated to Canada, where he was Toronto's first school superintendent and became known as the father of Canadian cricket.
Barber was born in 1802 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England. He emigrated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1826. After teaching in York
York, Upper Canada
York was the name of Old Toronto between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.- History :The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'...
for three years, he joined the Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
staff when it first opened in 1829. There he was also involved in the finances and a scandal that occurred in 1839. The scandal, details of which are hazy, also involved Bishop John Strachan
John Strachan
John Strachan was an influential figure in Upper Canada and the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto.-Early life:Strachan was the youngest of six children born to a quarry worker in Aberdeen, Scotland. He graduated from King's College, Aberdeen in 1797...
and caused Barber's dismissal.
At about this time, Barber had started a public accounting business which he continued throughout his life. He became auditor for the city of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
soon after Upper Canada College and also edited the Toronto Herald until its demise.
In 1844, he became the first superintendent of schools for Toronto and was involved with the board of education
Board of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
in some capacity until his death. He was part of the period of critical growth for this community resource.
An avid sportsman, his particular interest in cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
led to some popularity of the sport in Canada and the establishment of the Toronto Cricket Club in 1827.