John Barker (scholar) facts for kids

John Barker was a smart scholar who lived a long time ago, from about 1471 to 1482. He was known for being a teacher and a writer. We don't know exactly when he was born or when he died, but we know he was active during these years.

Early Life and Education

John Barker first became a special student, called a King's Scholar, at Eton College around 1471. Eton College is a very famous school in England. Because he went to Eton, it's possible he came from the southern part of England.

In 1474, John Barker went on to study at King's College, Cambridge, which is part of the famous University of Cambridge. He worked hard and became a "fellow" in 1477. A fellow is like a teacher or researcher at the college. By 1479, he had earned his Master of Arts (MA) degree, which is a high level of university education.

A Teacher and Writer

John Barker taught a subject called logic to students at King's College. These students were in their second year of university. Logic is all about how to think clearly and correctly.

He even wrote his own textbook for his students! It was called Scutum inexpugnabile, which means "Impenetrable Shield." This book probably helped students learn about logic and how language works, based on the ideas of an ancient Greek philosopher named Aristotle.

Even many years later, around the early 1500s, another scholar named Brian Rowe wrote a special introduction for Barker's book, praising it. This shows that Barker's textbook was still being used and was helpful to students at the college for a long time.

Later Life

John Barker left King's College in 1482. Around this time, two other important scholars, John Fisher and John Colet, came to Cambridge. After leaving the college, John Barker joined the Franciscans. The Franciscans are a group of monks who follow the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi.

We don't know exactly when or where John Barker passed away.