Dr. William Baker, former Department Chair and Associate Professor at Avila University in Kansas City, has been honored by Her Majesty The Queen for his contributions to contemporary literature. William Baker attended Missouri State University and completed his undergraduate degree at College of the Ozarks.

Upon receiving the commendation of His Grace, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop Of Canterbury, in recognition for outstanding contributions to the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, W. B. Baker was bestowed The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal at the command of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The former Avila University professor has been recognised internationally for his historical novels; with publications including The Ravenous, his Carmarthen trilogy: The Orphans of Carmarthen, Vault Of The Griffin, and Ordeal Of The Dragon; the acclaimed volume of classical poetry, A Solitary Frost; and the texts, The Director’s Handbook and Celtic Mythological Influences On American Theatre.

Additionally, the author recently received a vestment as Companion of the Order and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. George (Great Britain). A member of the British Society of Ethical Theory and the Royal Society of St. George, recent accolades include a Congressional Tribute from The House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States in Washington, DC. (Congressional Record of the 109th Congress) and a Resolution from The General Assembly of The Missouri State Senate in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Dr. William Baker conducted his graduate studies at The University of Hawaii at Manoa and at Coleg Y Brifysgol Caerdydd/ University Of Wales (United Kingdom). A Rotary Foundation International Graduate Fellow, he later studied at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London; with prizes and awards being noted in The Cambridge Blue Book, The Worldwide Honours List, Who’s Who in the World (Marquis), Who’s Who in the Midwest, and the prestigious Contemporary Authors (Thomson Gale). The author has been awarded numerous honors and citations, including: Top 100 Writers (Author Laureate), Men of Achievement (Cambridge), Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century (UK), Great Minds of the Twenty-First Century (ABI), and The Royal Edition of The Dictionary of International Biography (Melrose Press). William Baker was recognized as Professor of the Year at Avila University in 1990 and 1992.

His novels are available at Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Walden Books, on the World Wide Web at Amazon.com, Xlibris.com, and at bookstores throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and Japan.

A Magnificent Re-emergence of English Literature
For the 21st Century

W. B. Baker has done more through his writing to promote Wales around the world than anyone in recent memory. Stunning imagery and the ability to convey the warmth of Welsh culture combine with historical accuracy to bring Wales its finest champion since Dylan Thomas.

— BBC Hall of Fame
Southwest Wales

Disturbing and Equally Brilliant
The British People at Their Finest and Most Magnificent

Shamelessly brutal in his examination of the human heart, W. B. Baker presents Britain a stunning masterpiece of fiction. The Ravenous is Baker’s tour de force; the author using his considerable command of the English language to weave a majestic tale of valour and faith.

— Tottenham Court Road
London, England

A disturbing indictment of human frailty …
An even more glorious assertion of man’s innate nobility

Couched inconspicuously within this modern epic of Wales lie affirmations of the true majesty of humankind … Within this moving tale, valiant men and women emerge from the mire of war to exemplify the inextinguishable courage of this nation we call home.

— Pwllypant
Caerphilly, Wales