Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet facts for kids

Sir Thomas Baring, 2nd Baronet (born June 12, 1772, died April 3, 1848) was an important British banker. He was also a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. He was known as the 2nd Baronet of the Baring family.

Sir Thomas Baring's Early Life

Sir Thomas Baring was born on June 12, 1772. He was part of the famous Baring family. His father was Sir Francis Baring, 1st Baronet, who started a very important bank called Barings Bank.

His grandfather, John Baring, moved to England from Germany. He helped the Baring family become well-known there. Sir Thomas's mother's family also included Thomas Herring, who was an Archbishop of Canterbury.

His Career as a Banker and Politician

Sir Thomas Baring started his career working for the Honourable East India Company. This company was very powerful and traded goods from India. He worked there from 1790 to 1801.

Later, in 1804, he became a partner in his family's bank, Baring Brothers & Co.. He worked there until 1809. When his father passed away in 1810, Sir Thomas took over his father's title as the 2nd Baronet.

After his time with the bank, Sir Thomas became a Member of Parliament. He represented areas like High Wycombe and Hampshire until 1831. As an MP, he helped make decisions for the country.

From 1832 to 1833, he was the chairman of the London and South Western Railway. This was a big job, helping to lead one of the first railway companies. He was also the president of the London Institution and a director of the British Institution. In June 1841, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a group for important scientists.

His Family Life

On September 3, 1794, Sir Thomas married Mary Ursula Sealy in Calcutta, India. Mary was born in 1774 and passed away in 1846. They had nine children together: four sons and five daughters.

• Francis Baring (1796–1866) was their oldest son. He later became a Baron.
• Thomas Baring (1799–1873) also became a banker and a Member of Parliament.
• John Baring (1801–1888) married Charlotte Amelia Porcher.
• Mary Ursula Baring (c. 1803–1812) sadly passed away when she was young.
• Charlotte Baring (1805–1871) married Reverend William Maxwell du Pré.
• Charles Baring (1807–1879) became a very important church leader, the Bishop of Durham.
• Lydia Dorothy Baring (c. 1811–1812) also passed away when she was young.
• Frances Baring (1813–1850) married Henry Labouchere, 1st Baron Taunton.

Sir Thomas Baring passed away on April 3, 1848, at his home, Stratton Park House, in East Stratton, Hampshire. He was 75 years old. His oldest son, Francis, took over his title.