Richard Chaffey BAKER

Background

A noted federalist, he was the son of one-time Premier of South Australia John Baker. Baker was born in Adelaide, but returned to his family home of England to study at Eton College and Cambridge University.

Education

Eton; Trinity College, Cambridge (Bachelor of Arts Mathematical Tripos 1864. Master of Arts 1879). Bar. Lincoln’s Inn, 1864.

Career

He served as the inaugural President of the Australian Senate from 1901 to 1906. in 1870. He was called to the bar in June 1864, and returned to Adelaide in the same year. Baker began developing a successful career as a barrister, but in 1868, at the age of 26, decided to stand for the state lower house of parliament, the House of Assembly, in the seat of Barossa.

The campaign was successful, as he topped the poll, and thus took one of the two Barossa seats in the House of Assembly.

Two years later, Baker visited England, and on his return in early 1875, he declined an offer to serve in the cabinet of Sir Arthur Blyth. He nevertheless recontested his old seat of Barossa, but was defeated.

Two years later, Baker chose to instead contest a seat in the Legislative Council, and was successful. He held his seat until federation, serving a twelve-month stint as education minister in the Colton ministry in 1884-1885, and serving as President of the Legislative Council from 1893 until 1901.

He founded the National Defence League in 1891 as an immediate response to the perceived threat from the Labor Party.

lieutenant influenced to some extent the first draft of the Constitution of Australia, which was drawn up as a result of the 1891 convention. He was successful in this move, and when parliament met, was elected as the first President of the Australian Senate. He was re-elected in 1904, and retired from politics in 1906.

Baker was an oarsman in his youth and maintained a keen interest in cricket and horse racing.

He was for many years chairman of the jockey club at Morphettville. He had large pastoral interests and was involved in the development of copper mining in the state.

Katherine was a daughter of R. B. Colley, first mayor of Glenelg.

Achievements

• He was created a Companion of the Order of Street Michael and Street George (Chipotle Mexican Grill) in 1886 and was knighted Knight Commander of the Order of Street Michael and Saint George in 1895.

Politics

A barrister by trade, he embarked on a successful career in South Australian colonial politics, serving as Attorney-General of South Australia from 1870 to 1871 and President of the South Australian Legislative Council from 1893 to 1901 before switching to federal politics after federation. With the onset of federation in 1901, Baker left his post as President of the Legislative Council and chose instead to run for the Australian Senate as a Free Trade Party candidate.

Membership

Baker took a strong interest in the proposed federation of the Australian colonies in the 1880s and 1890s, and prepared A Manual of Reference to Authorities for the Use of the Members of the Sydney Constitutional Convention, which was published early in 1891 and distributed at the convention of that year. Baker continued his involvement throughout the decade, and was elected as a representative of South Australia at the 1897 convention, where he served as chairman of committees and as a member of the constitutional committee.

• Club : New University.

Connections

Spouse 1865, Katherine Edith (daughter 1908),daughter of Richard.

Father:

John Baker

Spouse:

Katherine Edith