Lieutenant-Colonel Edwin A. Baker
Edwin A. Baker (1893-1968), affectionately known as "The Colonel,"
was one of the founders of CNIB, and served as its Managing Director
from 1920 until 1962.
Born on a farm near Kingston, Ontario, Baker grew up where his
United Empire Loyalist forefathers had settled. He attended public
school and high school nearby and went on to Queen's University,
Kingston, to study engineering.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree as an electrical engineer
in 1914, just in time to enlist with the Sixth Field Company,
Canadian Engineers, and serve in World War I. In 1915, he was
wounded at Mount Kemmel, France, and lost the sight in both his
eyes.
After the war: a new way of life
Baker returned to Canada in 1916, after undergoing rehabilitation at
St. Dunstan’s home in England, to rebuild his life as a person
living with vision loss. It was a considerable challenge, as there
were few social services available at the time, and people with
vision loss tended to be dependent on their families.
Undaunted, Baker obtained a position at the Ontario Hydro-Electric
Power Commission. In his spare time, he joined the board of the
Canadian Free Library for the Blind as a volunteer and helped found
CNIB, along with six other Library volunteers, in 1918. He served as
vice-president of its first National Council, oversaw the After Care
and Training program for Canadian servicemen who had been blinded in
the war, and in 1920, he became CNIB’s general secretary.
Growing CNIB
From a staff of three and a handful of volunteers, Baker built the
organization to include more than 50 offices from coast to coast. He
sponsored ophthalmic surveys and medical aid for native Canadians in
the far north, helped organize the first mass survey of
schoolchildren in Toronto, which led to the establishment of classes
for those with vision loss, and oversaw the first national survey of
the incidence and causes of vision loss in Canada.
Other pursuits
Baker’s interests extended far beyond his own organization. He
served as president of the World Council for the Welfare of the
Blind (now known as the World Blind Union)
for three terms, and was, for many years, the only lay member of the
Canadian Ophthalmological Society.
He was a member of the National Advisory Council on the
Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons for 10 years and was involved in
the formation of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind in
London, England.
As a veteran of World War I, Edwin Baker continued to actively
participate in military and veterans' affairs. He was honorary
chairman of the National Council of Veterans Associations in Canada;
honorary president of the War Pensioners of Canada; a life member of
the Canadian Legion and the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in
Canada; and honorary dominion president, Canadian Corps Association.
He was vice-president and later secretary of the
Sir Arthur Pearson Association of War Blinded.
Awards and honours
Lieutenant-Colonel Baker received many honours in recognition of his
work. In 1935, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British
Empire. In 1938, the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel was conferred upon
him. In the same year, Queen's University made him an Honorary
Doctor of Laws, and in 1945 he received the same degree from the
University of Toronto. He received meritorious awards for
outstanding service from the War Amputations of Canada and three
American associations for the blind. He also received Citizen of the
Year awards from several Canadian cities.
In 1966, he was presented with the World Veterans' Federation Trophy
in recognition of distinguished service for the disabled. In 1967,
he was appointed Companion of the Order of Canada for outstanding
merit of the highest degree.
Edwin A. Baker passed away on April 7, 1968.
Kind words
In his sermon at the funeral service, the Reverend John Neal of
Beulah United Church, Collins Bay, said, "The Colonel learned in
life…how to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones. His life has
displayed to us the great things that can be done with affliction
when it is faced with courage and determination. We are richer
because he passed our way."
In a special tribute, A.N. Magill, Managing Director of CNIB from
1962 to 1973, said, "Colonel Baker won the admiration, respect, and
affection of thousands, both blind and sighted, across Canada, the
United States, and Europe. Although he was an international leader
of the blind, he was also at home in his basement workshop or at a
simple gathering with friends and neighbours. Throughout my
friendship with him, which extended over 40 years, I think an
outstanding quality was his great faith in the ability of blind
people."
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