He was born in Hartford, Connecticut on January 24, 1811[1] and attended Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

From 1845 to 1849, he was the first commissioner of public schools in the state, and his administration was marked by a decided step in educational progress.

In 1845, Barnard established the first "Rhode Island Teachers Institute" at Smithville Seminary.

[3] In 1852, Barnard was offered the newly created position of President of the University of Michigan, but he declined.

From 1859 to 1860, he was chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and agent of the board of regents of the normal school fund; in 1866 he was president of St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland; and from 1867 to 1870 he was the first United States Commissioner of Education, and in this position he laid the foundation for the subsequent work of the Bureau of Education.