Baker, Kate (1861–1953)
Baker, Kate (1861–1953)
Australian teacher and literary benefactor. Born Catherine Baker, April 23, 1861, in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, Ireland; died 1953 in Australia; never married; no children.
Known to Australians for support of author Joseph Furphy, began to teach for Victoria School Department (1881); sent to head the Wanalta Creek State School (1886); met Furphy (1887) and became his critic, editor and benefactor, providing funds for his early publications; dedicated life to Furphy and, after his death, to perpetuating his work, spending her remaining 40 years editing and publishing his poetry; edited The Poems of Joseph Furphy (1916) and wrote (with Miles Franklin) Joseph Furphy: The Legend of a Man and His Book (1944); received Office of the Order of the British Empire (OBE, 1937).
See also Women in World History.