James L. Barker Papers (Ms 611)
The James L. Barker Papers (1920-1966, bulk 1925-1940) includes letters of praise, professional correspondence, research
drafts, and bound and unbound articles reflecting both the personal and professional life of this phonetician. Present are
biographical material from 1925 to 1958, including letters of tribute and statements of recommendation; Barker's phonetics
research notes and rough drafts of proposed texts; and local and national news clippings from 1930 to 1935 that focus on
Barker's lectures, studies, and public subsidy for innovative research. Barker (1880-1985) received his early education in
the Weber County School District and the University of Utah (B.A., 1901). After his return from a mission for the LDS Church
in 1904, he began an extensive study of foreign languages in Europe. In 1906 he married Kate Montgomery. After his return to
the United States, he was hired as Principal of Weber Academy and later as Chair of BYU's fledgling language department. In
1919 he was appointed head of the University of Utah's Modern Language Department, a position he held for almost three
decades. A register is available.