File:Monument to Dr. Robert Baker in York Minster.jpg

English: Memorial to Dr. Robert Baker (d.1880), Surgeon in the north choir aisle of York Minster. Memorial designed by George Frederick Bodley and made by Farmer & Brindley. "We have to announce the death of Mr. Robert Baker, C.B., formerly one of the chief inspectors of factories, in his 77th year. Mr. Baker began life as a member of the medical profession, and devoted great attention to the condition of factory operatives. In 1834 he was appointed subinspector of factories under the Factory Act and in 1858 was made one of the chief inspectors. On his retirement he was created C.B. of the Civil Division". (The Times, February 10, 1880). He was second son of John and Hannah Baker of High Ousegate, York.[1] He was fortunate in his personal life. One of his London friends was Arthur Hallam, the tragic young friend of the poet Alfred Tennyson. The story goes that Arthur Hallam introduced Robert Baker to his future wife, Maria Burton, from Holton Hall, Lincolnshire, near the Tennyson family home. They married in 1841 and went to live at Manston Hall, Leeds (near Crossgates). However, in 1858 he was appointed one of the two principal Factory Inspectors for the whole country and moved with his growing family to Leamington Spa, where he died in 1880 after years of devoted service. He was honoured with a CB. Fellow doctors erected a memorial in York Minster to him: ‘A hater of shams and unswerving speaker of the truth’. (Biog by Eveleigh Bradford May 2013 The Thoresby Society The Historical Society for Leeds and District Founded 1889[2] ). Arms: Baker (of Awsworth, Nottinghamshire) Ermine, on a chief vert two boar's heads couped or (Burke, Sir Bernard, The General Armory, London, 1884, p.42), impaling Burton Sable, a chevron between three owls argent crowned or (Burke, Sir Bernard, The General Armory, London, 1884, pp.150-1, or variants, chevron or, owls without crowns. These are the arms of the Burton baronets of Tolethorpe, Rutland), with crest of Baker A boar's head couped. William Burton Rayner adopted in 1815 the surname Burton, becoming William Burton Burton or William Rayner Burton Burton (Biographical Register of Christ's College, 1505–1905, Volume 2, p.449[3])