Elizabeth Baker (diarist) facts for kids

Elizabeth Baker (born around 1720 – died around 1797) was an interesting English woman. She worked as a secretary, wrote diaries, and was also an amateur geologist. This means she studied rocks and the Earth, even though it wasn't her main job.

Early Life and Moving to Wales

Elizabeth Baker grew up in the Midlands region of England. Her father was a minister, which is a type of religious leader. For a while, she lived in a town called Coventry in Warwickshire.

In 1770, Elizabeth moved to Wales. She went to the Dolgellau area in Merionethshire because she wanted to search for metals. However, her partners didn't give her enough money, so she couldn't finish her metal-finding project.

Working as a Secretary

After her metal search didn't work out, Elizabeth found a job. She became a secretary for a man named Hugh Vaughan at a place called Hengwrt. She worked there until 1778.

Elizabeth lived at Hengwrt until Hugh Vaughan's property was taken by people he owed money to. After that, she lived in a place called Bryn Adda for about six years. Then, she moved back to Dolgellau.

Her Amazing Diaries

Elizabeth Baker wrote ten diaries about her experiences. These diaries are very special! They are now kept at the National Library of Wales. Parts of her diaries have even been published in a journal.

Her diaries are important because they tell us a lot about the history of the area where she lived. Hugh Vaughan, her boss, was a solicitor (a type of lawyer). Elizabeth's diaries even describe some of the legal cases he worked on.

Letters saved with her diaries show that she was alive until at least 1797. People believe she is the same Elizabeth Baker who was buried in Dolgellau in 1799. Her papers and diaries, covering the years from 1740 to 1798, are still kept safe at the National Library of Wales.