Eugene C. Barker - Academic Pursuits

Academic Pursuits

Through his administrative duties at UT, Barker became an authority on academic freedom and tenure. While he was tolerant of individual failings, he stood steadfastly behind his principles. Before the faculty, Barker would present his views concisely and quietly, but if opposition persisted, he would overwhelm his critics in forceful rhetoric and expression. He once likened a colleague’s reference to "academic courtesy" as "damned cowardice". He influenced colleagues because of the confidence that most had in him as well as through his own ability to express his ideas. A "university man", he would not bend to the winds of popularity and compromise.

Barker was an academic specialist in dozens of subject areas, including but not limited to the following:

• Fredonia Rebellion
• Texas finances
• Sam Houston
• The Mexican Army
• Battle of Goliad
• Tampico Expedition
• Texas-Mexican relations
• The Alamo
• Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence
• Stephen F. Austin
• The Republic of Texas and its foreign relations

The writings of frontier historian Frederick Jackson Turner.

Barker was a UT tutor from 1899 to 1901, an instructor from 1901 to 1908, an adjunct professor from 1908 to 1911, associate professor from 1911 to 1913, and full professor and subsequently chairman of the history department from 1913 until his retirement in 1951. He was professor emeritus for the last five years of his life. When the title “distinguished professor” was established at UT in 1937, Barker was among the first three faculty members given such designation.