J. Ellis Barker

Born in Cologne on May 9, 1870, and later active in Britain, J. Ellis Barker wrote on politics, history, economics, and public affairs. He became known for forceful books on subjects such as socialism, British statecraft, and international politics, often writing for general readers rather than a narrow academic audience.

He also worked as a journalist and editor, and later became associated with homeopathy and naturopathy. That later side of his career is part of his historical record, though some of the medical ideas he promoted are now regarded as controversial.

Barker died on July 16, 1948. Today he is remembered as a wide-ranging and restless writer whose work reflects the debates, fears, and reform movements of his era.