Richard Baker Wingfield-Baker
Encyclopedia
Richard Baker Wingfield-Baker (sometimes Richard Baker Wingfield Baker or Richard Wingfield Baker; born Richard Baker Wingfield) (1802 - 25 March 1880) MP
, DL
, was a Liberal Party
politician, High Sheriff
and Deputy Lieutenant
in the English county
of Essex
. Like his father, maternal grandfather, half-brother, and brother-in-law, Wingfield-Baker served as a Member of Parliament.
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), John-Digby, Mary, Caroline (who married Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham
), 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. He began his studies at Christ Church, Oxford
in 1820, and received a BA degree from in 1827.
at Inner Temple
in 1827.
He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant
of Essex on 14 September 1852 under Benjamin Mildmay
, Lord Lieutenant of Essex
, and in 1867 served as High Sheriff of Essex
. Wingfield-Baker held the position of Chairman of the Quarter Sessions
. For a time, he was Secretary to the Lord Chancellor
Cottenham
, 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.
His military service was with the 2nd Essex Volunteer Artillery
, being promoted captain
on 13 September 1860. In June 1864, he became Captain Commandant.
Wingfield-Baker of Orsett Hall
had a second residence at 2 Lowndes Square, London SW. He also owned land in Stoke Damerel, Devon.
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.
Upon Wingfield-Baker's death on 25 March 1880, his only son succeeded him.
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, DL
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
, was a Liberal Party
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
politician, High Sheriff
High Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
and Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
in the English county
Counties of England
Counties of England are areas used for the purposes of administrative, geographical and political demarcation. For administrative purposes, England outside Greater London and the Isles of Scilly is divided into 83 counties. The counties may consist of a single district or be divided into several...
of Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. Like his father, maternal grandfather, half-brother, and brother-in-law, Wingfield-Baker served as a Member of Parliament.
Early years
His parents were William WingfieldWilliam Wingfield (MP)
William Wingfield KC, MP , was an attorney, judge, and Member of Parliament in 19th century England.-Early years:...
1772 - 1858), MP for Bodmin
Bodmin (UK Parliament constituency)
Bodmin was the name of a parliamentary constituency in Cornwall from 1295 until 1983. Initially, it was a parliamentary borough, which returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of England and later the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom until the 1868 general...
, and Lady Charlotte-Maria (died 1807), eldest daughter of Henry Digby, 1st Earl Digby
Henry Digby, 1st Earl Digby
Henry Digby, 1st Earl Digby was a British peer and Member of Parliament.Digby was the younger son of Hon. Edward Digby, son of William Digby, 5th Baron Digby. His mother was Charlotte Fox, daughter of Sir Stephen Fox. Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland, was his uncle and Charles James Fox his cousin...
. Wingfield-Baker's siblings were: George-Digby (who succeeded to the estates of the Earl Digby), John-Digby, Mary, Caroline (who married Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham
Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham
Charles Christopher Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham PC KC was a British lawyer, judge and politician. He was twice Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:...
), and Frances-Eliza.
After his father's second marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of William Mills of Bisterne, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, Wingfield-Baker there were several half-siblings including:Charles John Wingfield
Charles John Wingfield
Sir Charles John Wingfield KCSI, CB, MP , who had a distinguished career with the Bengal Civil Service, was later elected as the first Member of Parliament for the United Kingdom's Parliament constituency of Gravesend....
Member of Parliament for Gravesend
Gravesend (UK Parliament constituency)
Gravesend was a county constituency centred on the town of Gravesend, Kent which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1868 until it was abolished for the 1983 general election....
, William-Wriothesley-Digby (Vicar of Gulval
Gulval
Gulval is a village in the former Penwith district of Cornwall, United Kingdom. Although historically a parish in its own right, Gulval was incorporated into the parishes of Penzance, Madron and Ludgvan in 1934, and like Heamoor, is now considered to be a suburb of Penzance...
), Frederick, Henry, Kenelm-Digby, and Julia.
Wingfield-Baker entered Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
in 1815. He began his studies at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
in 1820, and received a BA degree from in 1827.
Career
Wingfield-Baker became a Barrister at lawBarristers in England and Wales
Barristers in England and Wales are one of the two main categories of lawyer in England and Wales, the other being solicitors. -Origin of the profession:The work of senior legal professionals in England and Wales...
at Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1827.
He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of Essex on 14 September 1852 under Benjamin Mildmay
Benjamin Mildmay, 1st Earl FitzWalter
Benjamin Mildmay, 1st Earl FitzWalter PC , styled The Honourable Benjamin Mildmay until 1728 and known as The Lord FitzWalter between 1728 and 1730, was a British politician...
, Lord Lieutenant of Essex
Lord Lieutenant of Essex
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Essex. Since 1688, all the Lord Lieutenants have also been Custos Rotulorum of Essex.*John Petre, 1st Baron Petre*John de Vere, 16th Earl of Oxford 1558–?...
, and in 1867 served as High Sheriff of Essex
High Sheriff of Essex
The High Sheriff of Essex was an ancient High Sheriff title originating in the time of the Angles, not long after the invasion of the Kingdom of England, which was in existence for around a thousand years...
. Wingfield-Baker held the position of Chairman of the Quarter Sessions
Quarter Sessions
The Courts of Quarter Sessions or Quarter Sessions were local courts traditionally held at four set times each year in the United Kingdom and other countries in the former British Empire...
. For a time, he was Secretary to the Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
Cottenham
Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham
Charles Christopher Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham PC KC was a British lawyer, judge and politician. He was twice Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:...
, his sister Caroline's husband.
Wingfield-Baker, a Liberal
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
, was elected a Member of Parliament for South Essex twice, first for the period of 1857-1859 and again 1868-1874.
His military service was with the 2nd Essex Volunteer Artillery
Volunteer Force (Great Britain)
The Volunteer Force was a citizen army of part-time rifle, artillery and engineer corps, created as a popular movement in 1859. Originally highly autonomous, the units of volunteers became increasingly integrated with the British Army after the Childers Reforms in 1881, before forming part of the...
, being promoted captain
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
on 13 September 1860. In June 1864, he became Captain Commandant.
Personal life
Richard Baker was a relative by marriage. Upon his 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, also passed to William Wingfield who, in the same year, legally changed his surname to Wingfield-Baker by Royal licensure. 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.Wingfield-Baker of Orsett Hall
Orsett Hall
Orsett Hall was a 17th century grade 2 listed building in Orsett, Essex . It was set in of parkland and was the centre of the Orsett Hall agricultural estate. The house was destroyed by fire on 11 May 2007 and rebuilt in the same style and on the same footprint as the original building in 2009...
had a second residence at 2 Lowndes Square, London SW. He also owned land in Stoke Damerel, Devon.
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
John Hanmer, 1st Baron Hanmer
John Hanmer, 1st Baron Hanmer , known as Sir John Hanmer, Bt, between 1828 and 1872, was a British politician.-Background and education:...
. 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.
Upon Wingfield-Baker's death on 25 March 1880, his only son succeeded him.