Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr.

Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr.

Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr. , (b.9 December 1846 in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.- d. 18 March 1931) Businessman, telephone pioneer.cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981]

On June 20, 1877, "Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr." started up the first commercial telephone service in Canada in the city of Hamilton, Ontario.cite web| title =Chronolgy of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Ontario| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/cultural_landmarks/twps.html| accessdate = 2007-02-05] Then in 1878, he made the first telephone exchange in the British Empire. This was also the second telephone exchange in all of North America.cite web| title =Chronolgy of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Ontario| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/cultural_landmarks/twps.html| accessdate = 2007-02-05] The following season on 15 May 1879 he made Hamilton the site of the first commercial long distance telephone line in the British Empire.cite web| title =Chronolgy of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Ontario| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/cultural_landmarks/twps.html| accessdate = 2007-02-05] In 1880, (April 29) Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr. received a charter to build a national telephone company in Hamilton, Ontario. It was called the "Hamilton Telephone Company" and this was the charter that enabled the creation of the Bell Telephone Company in Canada. Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr. became the manager of the Ontario division until he retired in 1909.cite book|title=The Hamiltonians, 100 Fascinating Lives |first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers Toronto|pg=6|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-55028-804-0] The first telephone had been leased to Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie in September 1877. cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981] Baker learned of Alexander Graham Bell's invention in 1877 at the Philadelphia International Exposition and from there decided to test the communication tool in Hamilton.cite book|title=The Hamiltonians, 100 Fascinating Lives |first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers Toronto|pg=6|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-55028-804-0] He leased four telephones for himself and his chess partners and on August 29, 1877, the telephone replaced the telegraph as the means to discuss their chess moves.cite book|title=The Hamiltonians, 100 Fascinating Lives |first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers Toronto|pg=6|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-55028-804-0] Baker is also credited with helping to create the Hamilton Street Railway Company, the Hamilton Real Estate Association and the Canada Fire and Marine Insurance Company - all before he was 30-years old.cite book|title=The Hamiltonians, 100 Fascinating Lives |first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers Toronto|pg=6|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-55028-804-0]

His father, Hugh Cossart Baker, Sr. established the first life insurance company in Canada 21 August, 1847; the Canada Life Assurance Company. cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981] cite web| title =Chronolgy of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Ontario| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/cultural_landmarks/twps.html| accessdate = 2007-02-05]

External links

* [http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/libraryservices/gallery.htm Hamilton Gallery of Distinction: Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr.]

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Hugh Cossart Baker, Sr. — Hugh Cossart Baker, Sr. (September 1818 2 March 1859) was a banker, businessman, mathematician.cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791 1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981] Hugh… …   Wikipedia

  • Historical timeline of events in Hamilton, Ontario — Below is a timeline of events in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.Beginning 1799* According to all records from local historians, this district was inhabited by the Neutral Indians who called it ATTIWANDARONIA. cite book|title=Saga of a City|first=Milton …   Wikipedia

  • Economic history of Hamilton, Ontario — This article describes the Economic History of Hamilton, Ontario.The beginningIn the beginning, the Head of the Lake (Present day Hamilton)cite web| last = Kuzyk| first = Paul| title = Head of the Lake Historical Society|… …   Wikipedia

  • History of Hamilton, Ontario — From the beginning, what is now Hamilton has benefited from its geographical proximity to major land and water transportation routes along the Niagara Peninsula and Lake Ontario. Its strategic importance has created, by Canadian standards, a rich …   Wikipedia

  • James Street (Hamilton, Ontario) — LIUNA Station (former Canadian National Railways Station), as seen from Immigration Square James Street is a Lower City arterial road in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It starts off at the base of the Niagara Escarpment from James Mountain Road, a… …   Wikipedia

  • List of people from Hamilton, Ontario — The following people were born in, residents of, or are otherwise closely connected to the city of Hamilton, Ontario. Arts Architecture and design * Lida Baday, (1957 ), fashion designer. Her namesake label is sold at Holt Renfrew across Canada,… …   Wikipedia

  • Canada Life Financial — Corporation (tsx|CL) is a Canadian company that offers life, health, and disability insurance for groups and individuals. Founded in 1847, it was acquired by The Great West Life Assurance Company in 2003, after rejecting a hostile takeover bid by …   Wikipedia

  • Main Street (Hamilton, Ontario) — Main Street, looking East Main Street, is a Lower City arterial road in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It starts east of Wilson Street in Ancaster at White Chapel Cemetery as a two way street and switches over to a one way street (Eastbound) at… …   Wikipedia

  • Dean Close School — Motto Latin: verbum dei lucerna ( God s word. A guiding light ) Established 1886 Type Independent Religion Church of England Headmaster Jonathan Lancashire …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”