July 14, 1835-May 24, 1910

BY EDGAR F. SMITH

WHEN THE WRITER of the following paragraphs began the study of chemistry in 1972, his textbook was Elementary Chemistry, then in its tenth edition, written by Professor George F. Barker. At that time the writer never dreamed that it would be his privilege to become a colleague of this distinguished scientist, nor that later he would be called upon to write in memory of this splendid teacher, profound student, and man of noblest character.

The face of Dr. Barker was familiar to men of science, both in this country and abroad, as he made it a point, whenever possible, to meet with his fellows in science. On such occasions by his affability and courtesy he made a wide circle of friends, who in recent years have keenly felt his absence from their meetings, and were indeed shocked when the message of his death was announced. The writer had the opportunity to meet Dr. Barker daily for many years, not so intimately at first, but later with the greatest freedom and in true companionship. The impression made by him, at all times, was that of an earnest student of science, thoroughly conversant with its most recent advances