Background
Barker was born in 1850 at Newstead in Christian County, Kentucky and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky.
Barker was born in 1850 at Newstead in Christian County, Kentucky and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky.
He attended United Kingdom (then called the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky), before dropping out to study law.
He served as Louisville City Attorney from 1887 to 1896. He served as Judge of the Jefferson Circuit Court (Criminal Division) and Judge of the State Court of Appeals, serving one year as its Chief Justice. In 1910, he was selected by the United Kingdom Board of Trustees to be the next president of the University.
His predecessor, James K. Patterson, was often openly critical of Barker"s administration and reluctant to cede control of the institution.
Despite these roadblocks, Barker started a graduate school at the university as well as several other major improvements. Reserve Officers" Training Corps was started on the campus during his tenure and the school"s Reserve Officers Training Corps building is named Barker Hall.
He returned to his law practice in Louisville, and was later elected again to a judgeship. He died on April 23, 1928 in nearby Jeffersonville, Indiana.
