BARKER, ALFRED CHARLES (1819-73), was born in London, the son of Joseph Gibbs Barker, of Birmingham. During his childhood his parents lived at Hereford, Cambridge and Kenilworth, and for a while in the Vintners House at Holborn. The boy received most of his education in a private school at Hereford, and went to King's College, London, to study medicine. After qualifying as a surgeon he practised at Matlock, Bath and Rugby. He married Emma, daughter of Samuel Outram Bacon.

Becoming interested in the Canterbury scheme, Barker was one of the original land purchasers and was appointed surgeon to the Charlotte Jane. On arrival in Lyttelton (16 Dec 1850) he was in the first boat which went off and found rooms at Day's Hotel, Sumner, where he left his family until their home was ready. At Christchurch he lived in a dugout in the park while he erected his first shelter, a V hut covered with a sail from the ships. The hut was used by the land office for the convenience of the land purchasers at the selection of sections in Jan 1851. The garden of his permanent home stretched from Cathedral Square to the terrace in Worcester Street. Though a member of the council of the Society of Land Purchasers from 1852 to 1854, Barker was too much engaged in his practice to take part in politics. For years he was one of the few medical practitioners on the Plains, and he had to ride long distances. In 1855 he was returned to the Provincial Council for Christchurch City, which he represented until 1857. He had no taste for public life, but had strong opinions which he often expressed in the press. His wife having died in 1858, Barker gave up his practice in 1859 and devoted himself more and more to his hobbies. His tastes were studious and scientific. Throughout his life he corresponded with Owen, Huxley and others on geology, botany and other phases of science. He studied the Darwin theories deeply, and in 1872 and 1873 contributed papers to the Canterbury Philosophical Institute. Many sketches which he made in the early days of the settlement are preserved in the Christchurch museum, and his skill as an amateur photographer furnished valuable historical pictures. He was a trustee of the museum and assisted every intellectual and literary movement in the province. He was also a fellow of Christ's College, and the College library was built from his plans after his death. Barker died on 20 Mar 1873.

Canterbury P.C. Proc; Deans; Wigram; Church News, May 1873; Scholefield in The Press, 27 Sep 1930 (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 35

🌳 Further sources