Benjamin Fordyce Barker

Benjamin Fordyce Barker (1818–1891), generally known as Fordyce Baker, was an obstetrician from Maine who was a visiting physician at Bellevue Hospital from 1855 to 1879 and a consulting physician there from 1879 to his death.

Life

He was born at Wilton, Maine, May 2, 1818, the son of Doctor John Barker and Phebe Abbott. His father, a practitioner at Wilton, was formerly for two years an army surgeon in the War of 1812. Fordyce's early education was under the tutelage of his parents until eleven years of age, then began his classical training under his uncle John Abbott, at China, Maine. From thence he went to Farmington, Maine, to attend the school of Professor Green; next he went to Limerick, Maine, to complete his preparation for college; this he did under the guidance of his uncle by marriage, the Reverend Charles Freeman. He entered Bowdoin College in 1833, graduating with the degree of A. B. in 1837; he then entered the Medical Department in the same University and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1841, previously having received an A. M. in 1840.

Works

He contributed many written essays on the subject of his special work. (See list by Doctor W. T. Lusk, "Transactions of New York Academy of Medicine," 1891, Second Series, volume viii, page 300. See also Index Catalogue, Washington, D. C., 1897, second series, volume ii). In 1856 he was instrumental in introducing the hypodermic syringe into America.

His principal work was his book Puerperal Diseases, Clinical Lectures delivered at Bellevue Hospital, New York, 1874. It was translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish and Russian.

Memberships

His contact with social life is attested by his club memberships such as the University, the Century and the Union, all of New York City. His interest in the wider activities of his day, are indicated in his membership in the following societies:— Physicians' Mutual Aid Association, 1868; Fellow London Medical Society, 1878; Member London and Edinburgh Obstetrical Societies; Corresponding Member Philadelphia Obstetrical Society, 1874; Royal Society of Greece; president of the Anglo-American Society of Paris for October, 1890 (unable to be present); American Gynecological Society, 1876–77; vice-president International Medical Congress at London, 1881; visiting physician Bellevue Hospital, 1855–79; consulting physician, 1879–91; member of the Century Association (N. Y.) 1851; New York Academy of Design, 1864; American Geographic and Statistical Society, 1850; life member American Bible Society, 1867; St. John's Guild, 1871; life member, Museum of Natural History; member of Church Temperance Society and Charity Organization Society.