Allen Baker

Joseph Allen Baker was born on 10 April 1852 at Maple Ridge Farm in Trenton, Ontario. He was the son of Joseph Baker, an engineer. The Baker family identified as Quakers. Baker received his education at Trenton High School. In 1878, he married Elizabeth Moscrip from Morebattle, Kelso, Roxburghshire, and together they had seven children, including the politician Philip Noel-Baker.

Baker entered the family engineering business following his father’s career. In 1878, he relocated from Canada to London, where he established Baker & Sons with his brothers. He became chairman of the company in 1892 following his father’s death. The firm's initial operations began in Finsbury in 1879, but due to business expansion, it moved in 1890 to a large engineering works in Hythe Road, Willesden, where it remained for 43 years.

As a Quaker, Baker’s family aimed to operate a model business emphasizing employee welfare. They introduced measures such as shorter working days, health and insurance schemes, and fostered a relaxed work environment, which sometimes impacted profits. Baker & Sons had international interests in Britain, Canada, Australia, and the United States. The company also engaged in London's tramway development and published reports on tramway traction, advocating the conduit system for London. Around 1902, the company held an agency for the American car manufacturer Stevens-Duryea and eventually designed and built its own delivery lorry for the London docks. In 1919, Baker & Sons merged with Perkins Engineers Ltd to form Baker Perkins Ltd.

In parallel with his engineering pursuits, Baker participated in politics. He served on the London County Council (LCC) representing Finsbury East as a Progressive from 1895 to 1906. During his tenure, he was the Chairman of the Highways Committee. In the general election of 1900, Baker ran as a Liberal candidate for the East Finsbury constituency but was unsuccessful. Following the death of the sitting MP, Henry Charles Richards, Baker was selected again for the seat. He won the by-election held on 29 June 1905 with a majority of 768 votes and held the seat until his death in 1918.

Baker was actively involved in efforts to promote peace and religious harmony, consistent with his Quaker beliefs. He initiated exchanges of visits between Christian representatives from Britain and Germany to foster international understanding. He served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the British Council of the Associated Councils of Churches in the British and German Empires and also chaired the British Group of the World Alliance of Churches for Promoting International Friendship. Additionally, he was President of the London Adult Schools' Union and supported the temperance movement.

Joseph Allen Baker died in Westminster Hospital on 3 July 1918 at the age of 66, following a seizure experienced in the House of Commons two days earlier. His eldest son, Allan R. Baker, succeeded him as chairman of Baker & Sons. His death led to a by-election in East Finsbury, which was won by H. E. A. Cotton, a former Progressive member of the LCC running as a government candidate.