John D. Davies Collection on Hobey Baker (mostly 1908-1969) 1908-1997

Summary

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Overview

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Abstract

The John D. Davies Collection on Hobey Baker, located in the University Archives, contains research materials gathered by Davies for the publication, The Legend of Hobey Baker (Little, Brown & Company, 1966). These papers contain correspondence, research notes, manuscript drafts, photographs and printed material pertaining to Hobey A. H. Baker's career as an athlete at St. Paul's Preparatory School, at Princeton University, and as a member of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. Baker died in an airplane crash in 1918.

Description

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Description

Consists of research material collected by Davies (Princeton Class of 1941) for his book The Legend of Hobey Baker (1966). Included are correspondence, research notes, manuscript drafts, photographs, and printed material--all pertaining to Baker’s career as an ice hockey and football athlete at St. Paul’s Preparatory School and Princeton University, and as a member of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

Collection Creator Biography

Hobart Amory Hare Baker was born on January 15, 1892 in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, the second son, into a proper Philadelphian family. His father, A. Thornton Baker was a manufacturer of plush upholstery, his mother, Mary Augusta Pemberton, a belle of Philadelphia society. He attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire where he excelled in athletics, and was an industrious student as well. In 1910 he entered Princeton University and continued his athletic career, playing baseball, football and hockey. After graduation in 1914, Baker worked at the J. P. Morgan Bank of New York City and played amateur hockey with the St. Nick's team in New York City in 1915-1917. With American entry into World War I, he enlisted, embarked for Europe in August 1917 and by April 1918 served with the Lafayette Escadrille (103rd Aero Squadron). On December 21, 1918 Baker was killed when the Spad he was flying crashed.

Collection History

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Acquisition

John Davies donated his research material including his notes and original materials to the University Archives in 1967. The provenance of original photographic material and a scrapbook is unknown.

Access and Use

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Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist. Copyright is held by the Trustees of Princeton University.

Preferred Citation

John D. Davies Collection on Hobey Baker; 1908-1997 (mostly 1908-1969), Princeton University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

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Topics

• Princeton University

Subject Terms

• Baker, Hobey
• College athletes
• Football players
• Hockey
• Hockey players
• New Jersey
• Princeton
• Princeton University
• St. Paul's School (Concord, N.H.)
• Students
• United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces

Genre Terms

• Correspondence
• Notes
• Photographs
• Scrapbooks

Contents and Arrangement

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Series 1: Henry W. H. Baker Files, 1918-1959

Series 2: Correspondence, 1957-1969

Series 3: Manuscript Notes, 1965-1966

Series 4: Notes, 1963-1966

Series 5: Printed Material, 1910-1997

Series 6: Photographs, 1910-1918

Series 7: Scrapbook, 1910-1914