The Biographical Dictionary of America/Baker, William Spohn

BAKER, William Spohn, author, was born in Philadelphia. Pa., April 17, 1824, son of George Nice Baker, lieutenant of artillery company in the war of 1812. and Pennsylvania state representative and senator from 1823 to 1837. William Spohn was educated at private schools, afterwards studied and practised the profession of conveyancing, but retired in 1860, and turned his attention to art and literary pursuits. Mr. Baker was one of the directors of the Philadelphia school of design for women, 1874-'87; of the Pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, 1876-’90, and its vice-president, 1885-’90, and one of the vice-presidents of the Historical society of Pennsylvania; a member of the American philosophical society; of the American historical association, and other societies. In preparing materials for his contributions to Washingtoniana he brought together a remarkable collection of the portraits, medals, and biographies of Washington. He published "Origin and Antiquity of Engraving" (Philadelphia, 1872; Boston, 1875); "American Engravers and their Works" (1875); "William Sharp, engraver, and his Works" (1875); "Engraved Portraits of Washington" (1880); "Character Portraits of Washington" (1887); "Medallic Portraits of Washington" (1884); "Bibliotheca Washingtoniana" (1889); "Itinerary of General Washington, 1775-1783" (1892); "Early Sketches of George Washington, 1775-1795" (1894); and "Washington After the Revolution," (1784-1799); Pennsylvania Magazine of History, Vol. XVIII, and other historical papers. He died in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 8, 1897.