Background
Baring was the second son of Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet, and Mary Ursula, daughter of Charles Sealy.
Baring was the second son of Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet, and Mary Ursula, daughter of Charles Sealy.
He was educated at Winchester.
As a second son, Thomas was destined for a career in the "counting house". Beginning at Hope & Company, he did well in Amsterdam, becoming a partner in 1824. Once installed in London, Thomas sought, during the 1830s and 40s, to use knowledge and connections gained at Hopes to increase the firm"s visibility in Europe.
Except in Russia, Barings was mostly frustrated in these efforts by more established continental houses like Rothschilds and Hottinguer"son
During these same years Thomas, along with younger brother John, spent much time promoting Barings in North America, especially the United States. He made his first trip to the United States in 1829 and many more thereafter.
The European troubles of 1848 also contributed to the shift of Barings" attention to the Americas. During this period, Barings was the financial agent for the governments of the United States and (along with Glyn, Mills & Company) Canada.
While always resistant to heavy involvement in public life, Thomas found time for other finance-related positions, including Chairman of Lloyd"s and a director of the Bank of England.
Like his father, he was President of the London Institution and s Fellow of the Royal Society
Baring entered Parliament for Great Yarmouth in 1835, a seat he held until 1837, and later represented Huntingdon between 1844 and 1873. Baring died in November 1873, aged 74.
Royal Society; 12th United Kingdom Parliament. 14th United Kingdom Parliament. 15th United Kingdom Parliament.
16th United Kingdom Parliament.
17th United Kingdom Parliament. 18th United Kingdom Parliament.
19th United Kingdom Parliament. 20th United Kingdom Parliament.