A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Baker, George

by William H. Husk

BAKER, George, Mus. Doc., was born at Exeter in 1773. Taught by his aunt, he was able at seven years of age to play upon the harpsichord, and about the same time was placed under the tuition of Hugh Bond and William Jackson, then organist of Exeter cathedral. He also received lessons on the violin from Ward. In 1790 he quitted Exeter for London, where he was received into the family of the Earl of Uxbridge, who placed him under William Cramer and Dussek for instruction on the violin and pianoforte. He was organist at Stafford 1795, Derby 1810, and Rugeley 1824. He took the degree of Doctor of Music at Oxford about 1801. He died Feb. 19, 1847. Dr. Baker's compositions comprise anthems, glees, organ voluntaries, pianoforte sonatas, and other pieces, the music to an unfortunate musical entertainment called 'The Caffres,' produced for a benefit at Covent Garden Theatre, June 2, 1802, and at once condemned, and numerous songs, many of them composed for Incledon, his former fellow-pupil under Jackson.

[ W. H. H. ]