Bingham Baring, 2nd Baron Ashburton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Ashburton
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| Paymaster General | |
| In office 1 March 1845 – February 1846 |
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| Monarch | Queen Victoria |
| Prime Minister | Sir Robert Peel |
| Preceded by | Sir Edward Knatchbull |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Babington Macaulay |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 1799 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | 23 March 1864 (aged 64) The Grange, Hampshire |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Whig (to 1837) Tory from 1837 |
| Spouses | (1) Lady Harriet Montagu m. 1823; d. 1857 (2) Louisa Stewart-Mackenzie m. 1858; wid. 1864 |
| Alma mater | Oriel College, Oxford |
William Bingham Baring, 2nd Baron Ashburton (born June 1799, died March 1864) was an important British businessman and politician. He started his political career as a member of the Whig party. Later, he joined the Tory party.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Bingham Baring was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June 1799. His father was Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton, a well-known politician and banker.
William went to Oriel College, Oxford, a famous university in England. He studied classics and finished his first degree in 1821. Later, he earned more advanced degrees from the same university.
A Career in Politics
William Bingham Baring was a Member of Parliament (MP) for several areas in the UK. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government. He served in Parliament from 1826 to 1830, and again from 1841 to 1848 for Thetford. He also represented other places like Callington and Winchester.
He was first elected as a Whig in 1832. However, by 1837, he changed his political party and became a Tory.
Important Government Roles
William Baring held important jobs in the government. From 1841 to 1845, he was a Joint Secretary to the Board of Control. This board helped manage affairs in British India.
Later, from 1845 to 1846, he became the Paymaster General. This role meant he was in charge of paying out money for the government. He was also part of the Cabinet, which is a group of the most important government ministers. In 1845, he joined the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the King or Queen.
In 1848, when his father passed away, William inherited the title of Baron Ashburton. This meant he became a member of the House of Lords, which is the upper house of the UK Parliament.
Other Contributions
Lord Ashburton was involved in many other activities. He was a member of the Canterbury Association, a group that helped set up a new settlement in New Zealand. He also received a special award, the Commandeur of the Légion d'honneur, for his work in business.
He was a captain in the Hampshire Yeomanry Cavalry, a local military group. In 1853, he was made a Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Southampton. In 1854, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very old and respected group for scientists.
One of his lasting contributions is the Ashburton Shield. This is a trophy for a shooting competition, which Lord Ashburton donated in 1861 to the National Rifle Association.
Family Life
Lord Ashburton was married twice. His first wife was Lady Harriet Mary Montagu. They married in 1823. Sadly, their only child, Alexander, died when he was a baby. Lady Harriet passed away in 1857.
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In 1858, Lord Ashburton married his second wife, Louisa Caroline Stewart-Mackenzie. They had one daughter named Mary Florence, who was born in 1860. Mary Florence later married William Compton, 5th Marquess of Northampton.
Lord Ashburton passed away in March 1864 at the age of 64. His younger brother, Francis, took over the title of Baron Ashburton. Lady Ashburton, his second wife, died in 1903.
Places Named After Him
The Ashburton River in New Zealand was named after Lord Ashburton. The town of Ashburton, located on the river, was also named in his honor. This was done by Joseph Thomas, who was the chief surveyor for the Canterbury Association.
See also
- Baring family
- Baron Ashburton
- Barings Bank
