Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
R. St. Barbe Baker fonds
General material designation
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Fonds
Reference code
Fonds 71
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1876-1982, predominant 1951-1981 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
4.5 m of textual and other records
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Richard St. Barbe Baker was born in Southampton, England in 1889. He emigrated to Canada and homesteaded on what is now the site of the Beaver Creek conservation area near Saskatoon, in 1909. He was one of the first 100 students to attend the University of Saskatchewan where, among other things, he operated the first student 'residence' in his barn on the campus, penned the University 'yell,' and initiated freshman John Diefenbaker. St. Barbe also attended Cauis College, Cambridge. He served during World War I, and was invalided in France in April 1918. Following the war he worked briefly for the British Institute for Social Service, helping to establish the Ministry of Health. After completing forestry studies at Cambridge, he was appointed Assistant Conservator of Forests in Kenya where, in 1922, he founded the Men of the Trees, enlisting the help of 9000 voluntary tree planters in an attempt to arrest the invading Sahara. This society, which grew into an international organization, became the central cause of St. Barbe's life. He was called upon to advise several nations on forestry matters, and was active in promoting international cooperation in conservation. He published extensively, not only on forestry and trees but also on spiritual and religious topics and health matters. In recognition of his many accomplishments, the University of Saskatchewan conferred an honourary Doctor of Laws on St. Barbe in November 1971. In 1977 the Order of the British Empire was bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth II. St. Barbe died on 9 June 1982 while on a visit to the University of Saskatchewan.
Custodial history
Scope and content
This fonds contains files relating to St. Barbe's family, as well as his personal correspondence, autobiographical material, his forestry and conservation activities (including Men of the Trees and the Sahara Reclamation Program), and his involvement with the Baha'i faith. In addition to the manuscript material, there are 1.2 m of photographs, 4 slide cases, films, memorabilia, and library material.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
Each series is subdivided by subject, and these subseries are arranged chronologically within each file.
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
There are no restrictions on access.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Finding aid: file titles with descriptions
Associated materials
Accruals
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Sahara Reclamation Company (Subject)
- Leagate Centre (Subject)