George Melville Baker (1832–1890) was a prominent 19th-century American playwright, publisher, and performer based in Boston, Massachusetts. He began his career in the publishing industry working for the established firm Lee & Shepard before establishing his own imprint, George M. Baker & Co. Through his publishing house, Baker issued works by several contemporary writers, including Henry M. Baker, F.E. Chase, and Herbert Pelham Curtis. His publishing business operated until 1885, at which point it was succeeded by Walter H. Baker & Co., a firm run by his brother.
Beyond his work as a publisher, Baker was an active participant in the New England cultural and theatrical scene. He frequently performed alongside comedian Henry C. Barnabee, appearing in popular "lyceum entertainments" throughout the region. Baker was also an active member of the Mercantile Library Association, reflecting his deep engagement with Boston's literary and civic communities.
Baker's creative legacy extended to his family. He married Emily Bowles in 1858, and several of their children went on to achieve success in literary and entertainment fields. These included the novelist Emilie Loring, the playwright Rachel Baker Gale, and the screenwriter Robert Melville Baker. Through both his own theatrical endeavors and his family's subsequent contributions, Baker left a lasting mark on American popular entertainment.
