Shirley Waldemar Baker

Shirley Waldemar Baker ( * 1836 in London, † November 16, 1903 in Pangai, Tonga ) was a Methodist missionary and from April 1881 to July 1890 Prime Minister of Tonga.

Baker came in 1860 as a missionary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society from Australia to Tonga and quickly found a good contact to Taufa'ahau, later King George Tupou I. He also helped in the drafting of the Tongan laws of 1862. One of these laws, the emancipation edict freed the Tongan official duties for their chiefs.

Because he had not obtained the esteem of his fellow missionaries and his wife was ill, he went back to Australia in 1866. He traveled as a preacher by the New South Wales and made a name among the Wesleyans. In 1869 he was elected Chairman of the Tonga - district his mission society.

1869 Baker came back into the country and advised the ruler again. During this time he worked on the Constitution of 16 September 1875. 1876 He was involved in the translation of the friendship treaty between the German Reich and Tonga and signed this on November 1, 1876 as interpreter.

In 1879, Baker was expelled from the Wesleyan Missionary Society. At the request of the king founded Baker 1885, the " Free Church of Tonga ". 1887 some believers who refused to change the church, attempted murder on Shirley Baker were indicted and deported to Fiji. Later, Baker had to leave even at the request of the British Government of Tonga.