George E. Ricker (1842-1926) was born in Topsham, Maine and died in Wethersfield, Connecticut. He worked as a cabinet maker and married Georgiana "Georgie" Ricker (b. Sampson) in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1866. He later graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1878. He was a student of Mary Baker Eddy, completing the Primary class by himself in November 1884 and then again in November 1885 along with his wife. He later completed the Normal class in May 1886. Ricker joined the Christian Scientist Association in May 1886, and he was also a member of the National Christian Scientist Association. He appears to have left the Christian Science movement in 1888. After leaving he devised his own mental healing system and established a New Thought church with Emma Gray, another student of Eddy. Ricker's organization, based in Washington, D.C., operated under several names: The National Institute of Practical Christianity, The National New Thought Center, and The National Center of Christ Healing and Christ Service. He moved to Wethersfield around 1924, after he had retired.

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