Richard Baker (chronicler)

Sir Richard Baker
Born	c.1568 Sissinghurst, Kent
Died	18 February 1645 (aged 76–77) Fleet Prison, London
Nationality	English
Occupation	politician, historian, religious writer
Notable work	Chronicle of the Kings of England

Sir Richard Baker (c. 1568 – 18 February 1645) was a politician, historian and religious writer. He was the English author of the Chronicle of the Kings of England and other works.

Richard Baker, born about 1568 at Sissinghurst, Kent, was the elder son of John Baker and Katherine Scott, the daughter of Sir Reginald Scott (d. 16 December 1554) of Scot's Hall near Ashford, Kent, and Emeline Kempe, the daughter of Sir William Kempe of Olantigh, by Eleanor, daughter of Sir Robert Browne. Richard Baker's father, John Baker, was the second son of Sir John Baker, the first Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Richard Baker had a younger brother named Thomas, who is doubtless the ancestor of William Baker of Lismacue House in County Tipperary, Ireland.

Baker entered Hart Hall, Oxford, as a commoner in 1584. He left the university without graduating, but was granted the degree of Master of Arts by decree in 1594, studied law in London, and afterwards travelled in mainland Europe. In 1593 he was chosen Member of Parliament for Arundel, and in 1597 was elected to Parliament as the representative of East Grinstead as a nominee of Lord Buckhurst, his uncle.

In 1603 Baker was knighted by King James I at Theobalds Palace. At the time he was living in Highgate. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for Middlesex. In 1620 he was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, where he inherited the manor of Middle Aston.

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