Background
Baker was born in Frederick County, Maryland but his birth date is unknown.
lawyer politician representative
Baker was born in Frederick County, Maryland but his birth date is unknown.
He attended Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), Lexington, Virginia for three years. Later, he studied law.
He was admitted to the bar and began practice in Berkeley County, Virginia (now Jefferson County, West Virginia). He was elected as a Federalist to the Twelfth Congress (March 4, 1811 – March 3, 1813) with 56.44% of the vote, defeating Democratic-Republican Daniel Morgan. After leaving Congress, he resumed the practice of law.
He was the Commonwealth attorney for Jefferson County.
He was one of the lawyers who defended Aaron Burr when he was tried for treason.
Baker was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1798–1799.