Franklin Baker (minister)

James Hews Bransby, of Dudley, who directed his private studies by way of preparing him for the University of Glasgow, with the view of his ultimately becoming a Unitarian minister.

On the completion of his college course in 1823 he was invited to become minister of Bank Street Unitarian Chapel, Bolton, a charge which he accepted, though there had been dissensions there which made his work difficult.

In his earlier time, when the dissenters were battling for equal rights, he engaged in the political movements of the day, but his after-life was devoted to the work of his calling and the promotion of the charitable and educational institutions of the town.

No one in that community was more heartily respected than Baker, and he received gratifying testimony of this in an offer from the Lord Lieutenant of the county to insert his name in the commission of the peace.

Besides occasional sermons and pamphlets on matters of passing interest, he was the author of various articles in the Penny Cyclopædia.