Harry L. Baker, Jr. Papers
Collection
Identifier: MS385
This collection is made up of Baker's identification cards; one piece of correspondence to his daughters, which dates from World War II; a condolence letter to Baker's wife; his obituaries; and dedication programs for the Baker Building on the Georgia Tech campus, named in his honor. Baker's two diplomas from Emory University (Bachelor of Law 1961; Doctor of Law 1970) and a 1973 citation from the Georgia Tech Research Institute are also included in this collection.
(one half-size document case and one oversize box)
None.
Permission to publish materials from this collection must be obtained from the Head of Archives and Special Collections.
1.2 Linear Feet (one half-size document case and one oversize folder)
This collection consists of Baker's identification cards, correspondence, and newsclippings, as well as a program for the dedication of the Baker Building on the Georgia Tech campus in October 1973. The bulk of the collection dates from his later years and the time of his death, although one piece of correspondence and some of the identification cards date from World War II. Baker's two diplomas from Emory University (Bachelor of Law 1961; Doctor of Law 1970) and a 1973 citation from the Georgia Tech Research Institute are also included in this collection.
Harry Lichtenwalter Baker, Jr., a native of Atlanta, graduated from the Georgia School of Technology in 1934 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He served as President of the Georgia Tech Research Institute from 1946 until his death in 1973.
While at Tech, Baker was a member of Beta Theta Phi fraternity. He also served as Vice-President of Alpha Chi Sigma and as President of the M. L. Brittain Debating Society. He became a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers during his student years. In his senior year, he held the position of Manager of the Tennis Team. An excellent student, he was on the Honor Roll for all four years.
During the Second World War, Baker was in the Navy, serving in the Pacific in amphibious operations. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service, and had attained the rank of commander by 1945. After the war ended, he continued to serve in the Naval Reserves until his retirement as a captain in 1972.
After the war, Baker began a position as the first President of the Georgia Tech Research Institute in 1946, a position he would hold until his untimely death at the age of 60 in 1973. He also served as the Assistant Director of the Engineering Experiment Station from 1946 until 1963. In February 1966, he was appointed Director of the Office of Research Administration. In addition to his twenty-seven years of service to Tech, he also attended Emory University's School of Law part-time, and he received a law degree in 1961.
Baker died suddenly after an aneurysm on January 11, 1973. Surviving were his wife, Virginia Cunningham (known as "Kit"); two daughters, Mrs. Dale E. Wallin and Mrs. Earl H. Freeman; and a son, Harry L. Baker III.
A print copy of this finding aid is available in the Georgia Tech Archives reading room.
Donation, 2003 (accession # 2003.004). Most of the photographs belong to an earlier donation (accession #2000.016).
Photographs are processed as the Harry L. Baker Photograph Collection (VAM385). Artifacts, including various medals and pins, have been added to the Artifacts collection. Baker's 1934 diploma from Georgia Tech has been transferred to the Georgia Tech Diplomas Collection, MS364.
(one half-size document case and one oversize box)
Christine de Catanzaro processed this collection in May 2011.
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, Library, Georgia Institute of Technology Repository