Background
He was the son of William Baker, vicar of Ilton, Somerset, where he was born.
He was the son of William Baker, vicar of Ilton, Somerset, where he was born.
He was educated at Crewkerne School, and entered Wadham College, Oxford, where he was first fellow, and eventually became warden in 1719.
He was successively rector of Saint Ebbes, of Padworth, and of Blayden, all in the diocese of Oxford. In 1714 he was collated to the archdeaconry of Oxford. He was chaplain in ordinary to George I. In 1723 he was promoted to the see of Bangor, from which in 1727 he was translated to Norwich.
He held the rectory of Saint Giles-in-the-Fields in commendam up to the time of his death, which occurred at Bath, 4 December 1732.
Francis Blomefield, the historian of Norfolk, who was ordained by him, gives the titles of four sermons which he printed. One of them was published by special command of Queen Anne in 1710.