Papers of Henry Barker (d. 1948)

The collection is composed of: a dissertation on the problem of theological method in its bearing on philosophy; items on the connection between ethical theory and a religious view of the world, and the science of ethics from the standpoint of realism; material on philosophy and theology, Ritschlian theology, the religious consciousness, faith, and the nature and origin of Christian experience; an unpublished article on anthropomorphism; material on the moral teaching of the Gospels; Kemp Smith material on spiritual values; material on the Church and state; Balfour's Foundations of belief; material on contrasts between philosophy and religion, the duty of religious inquiry, and belief; a lecture course to theological students The state in philosophical and Christian ethics 1919-1920; the seat of authority in religion, the Church, the authority of the Church, and the basis of the Church's authority; Schism; and, the idela of the Church. There is also: lecture notes for Summer and Honours ethics, 1919-1926; lecture notes on the moral standard and its problems; material on Butler; material on hedonism, the definition of philosophy, Berkeley's theory of vision, psychology of will, psychology of belief, and St. Paul's view of the Christian life; material on the difficulties of a teleological conception of the universe, examination of objections to the teleological argument, difficulties in forming a system of Christian ethics; and, notes and annotations on Isaiah, factors in the efficiency of religious belief, and Christian dogmatics.

Henry Barker had been an Assistant and Lecturer in Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh University, 1898-1934, and Lecturer in Social Ethics 1919-1934. He held the degrees of MA, from Edinburgh University, 1891, and from Cambridge. Henry Barker died on 19 December 1948.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Obituary University of Edinburgh journal. Vol. 14. 1946-1949. p.272. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1949.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Local lists.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

The local Indexes of Special Collections Division, Edinburgh University library, George Square, show various references to Barker related material (check the Indexes for more details): correspondence with J.B. Baillie, B. Bosanquet, C.D. Broad, A.C. Fraser, G.D. Hicks, J.H. Muirhead, H. Sidgwick, G.F. Stout and J. Ward, 1898-1932, at Dc.6.118; Shaw Fellowship lectures, circa 1897, entitled The present relations of theology and philosophy. A critical examination of theological methods, at Dc.6.117, and lectures on Kant and Hegel, delivered at Edinburgh University 1898-1906. Also some papers on miscellaneous philosophical topics, circa 1900-1910, at Dk.6.9/1-2.