Henry Stites Barker

Who was Henry Stites Barker?

Henry Stites Barker was the second president of the University of Kentucky from 1911-1917.

Barker was born in 1850 at Newstead in Christian County, Kentucky and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended UK, 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 and Judge of the State Court of Appeals, serving one year as its Chief Justice.

In 1910, he was selected by the UK 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 ROTC building is named Barker Hall.

Despite these and many more accomplishments, Patterson and his allies continued to oppose him until he resigned in 1917. 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.