Benjamin Franklin Baker

Benjamin Franklin Baker (July 10, 1811 – March 11, 1889) was an American educator and composer.

Biography Benjamin Franklin Baker was born on July 10, 1811, in Wenham, Massachusetts, to John and Sally Baker. When he was 14 years old, his family moved to Salem, Massachusetts, where he began his musical studies. After this he moved to Bangor, Maine, for a time, making a living as a businessman, but moved to Boston in 1837. With his cousin Isaac Baker Woodbury, he began a series of teacher's conventions.

Beginning in 1839, he spent the next 24 years in Boston in the capacity of music conductor for various churches there. That same year he married Sabra L. Heywood. During this time period, he continued performing, often as featured soloist with the Handel and Haydn Society. By the late 1850s he was traveling to other parts of the United States as a conductor. Towards the end of his career in the 1870s, Baker was the editor of the Boston Music Journal.

Publications Baker published more than 25 collections of hymns, songs, and music theory books. Baker's American School Music Book (1844)

Compositions Baker composed numerous anthems, hymns, and other various vocal works. Of particular note are his cantatas. The Storm King (1856) The Burning Ship – cantata with lyrics by Howard M. Ticknor. (1858) Camillus, the Roman Conqueror (1865)