George Baker (1879-1954)
George Baker (1879-1954)
1956 Obituary [1]
George Baker George Baker, O.B.E., who was born in 1879, was prominent as an industrialist in South Yorkshire, and throughout the iron and steel trade, and was associated for forty years with John Baker and Bessemer, Ltd., Kilnhurst and Rotherham, the firm founded by his father. He became chairman of the Board in 1946, but relinquished the post in 1951 upon nationalization of the steel industry. He retained his interest in Woodhouse and Rixton, Ltd., Sheffield, however, of which he was chairman and managing director. He was awarded the O.B.E. in 1918, for services rendered in regard to the improvement of production during the 1914-18 war, and during the 1939-45 war again played a prominent part in the industrial contribution to the war effort.
Mr. Baker was educated at Rotherham Grammar School from 1890 to 1896 and subsequently served an apprenticeship at his father's works at Rotherham, meanwhile gaining an Associateship in metallurgy at Sheffield University. Later he took charge of the construction of the Kilnhurst works, and continued there as manager.
He was elected a Member of the Institution in 1941, and was also a Member of the Iron and Steel Institute, and President of the Sheffield Society of Engineers and Metallurgists, at the time of his death.
Mr. Baker's death occurred on 7th September, 1954.