Richard Wingfield-Baker
British politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Baker Wingfield-Baker (sometimes Richard Baker Wingfield Baker or Richard Wingfield Baker; born Richard Baker Wingfield) (1802[2] – 25 March 1880) MP, DL, was a Liberal Party politician, High Sheriff and deputy lieutenant in the English county of Essex.[3][4] Like his father, maternal grandfather, half-brother, and brother-in-law, Wingfield-Baker served as a Member of Parliament.
Richard Baker Wingfield-Baker MP, DL | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for South Essex | |
| In office 4 April 1857[1] – 1859 | |
| Preceded by | Sir William Bowyer-Smijth, 11th Baronet |
| Succeeded by | John Perry-Watlington |
| Member of Parliament for South Essex | |
| In office 16 Nov 1868[1] – 1874 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, 1st Baron Rookwood |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Charles Baring |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1802 |
| Died | 25 March 1880 (aged 77–78) |
| Party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Margaret Maria Hanmer |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Profession | Barrister |
Early years
His parents were William Wingfield 1772 – 1858), MP for Bodmin, and Lady Charlotte-Maria (died 1807), eldest daughter of Henry Digby, 1st Earl Digby. Wingfield-Baker's siblings were: George-Digby (who succeeded to the estates of the Earl Digby),[5] John-Digby, Mary, Caroline (who married Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham),[6] and Frances-Eliza.
After his father's second marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of William Mills of Bisterne, Hampshire, Wingfield-Baker there were several half-siblings including:Charles John Wingfield Member of Parliament for Gravesend, William-Wriothesley-Digby (Vicar of Gulval), Frederick, Henry, Kenelm-Digby, and Julia.
Wingfield-Baker entered Rugby School in 1815.[7] He began his studies at Christ Church, Oxford in 1820, and received a BA degree from in 1827.
Career
Wingfield-Baker became a Barrister at law at Inner Temple in 1827.
He was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Essex on 14 September 1852[4] under Benjamin Mildmay, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, and in 1867 served as High Sheriff of Essex.[2][8] Wingfield-Baker held the position of Chairman of the Quarter Sessions.[2][9] For a time, he was Secretary to the Lord Chancellor Cottenham,[10] his sister Caroline's husband.
Wingfield-Baker, a Liberal, was elected a Member of Parliament for South Essex twice, first for the period of 1857-1859 and again 1868–1874.[3][11][12]
His military service was with the 2nd Essex Volunteer Artillery, being promoted captain on 13 September 1860.[13] In June 1864, he became Captain Commandant.[14]
Personal life
Richard Baker was a relative by marriage. Upon his (fathers) death – in 1827, William Wingfield inherited the John Baker title. Upon the death of Richard Baker's widow in 1849, the remainder of the estate, including the Orsett title,[15] also passed to William Wingfield who, in the same year, legally changed his surname to Wingfield-Baker by Royal licensure.[16] Upon the death of William Wingfield on 21 March 1858, his son, Richard Baker Wingfield, inherited the estate and assumed the additional surname of Baker.[17]
Wingfield-Baker of Orsett Hall had a second residence at 2 Lowndes Square, London SW. He also owned land in Stoke Damerel, Devon.[18]
Wingfield-Baker married Margaret Maria Hanmer, daughter of Lt.-Col. Thomas Hanmer and Arabella Charlotte Bucknall, in 1837, and sister of John Hanmer, 1st Baron Hanmer. They had at least one child, a son, Captain Digby Hanmer Wingfield (d. 1884). Wingfield-Baker died in 1880 from injuries sustained in hunting accident.[19]
Upon Wingfield-Baker's death on 25 March 1880,[20] his only son succeeded him.