Reverend Joseph Barker (1806-1875) was a preacher, controversialist and author. Brought up a Methodist, he became a Methodist Preacher before converting to the Methodist New Connexion. He ministered in Gateshead, but in 1841 he was expelled at their conference at Halifax. He began to publish a periodical, People, and pioneered cheap literature for the masses. He was also a reformer and anti-slave trade campaigner. He co-edited the National Reformer with Charles Bradlaugh. His works include: The Character and Tendency of Christianity (1833), The Gospel Triumphant; or, A Defence of Christianity Against the Attacks of the Socialists (1839), The Abominations of Socialism Exposed (1840), The Overthrow of Infidel Socialism; or, The Gospel and Infidel Socialism Contrasted (1840), Life of William Penn, the Celebrated Quaker and Founder of Pennsylvania (1847), The Reformer"s Almanac, and Companion to the Almanacs (1848), The People: Their Rights and Liberties, Their Duties and Their Interests (1849), Confessions of Joseph Barker (1858), Modern Skepticism: A Journey Through the Land of Doubt and Back Again (1874) and The Life of Joseph Barker (edited by his nephew J. T. Barker) (1880).