BAKER, Peter William (?1756-1815), of Ranston, nr. Blandford, Dorset.

Baker’s father is reported to have been ‘a great London builder, who made a large fortune’.Biog. List of Commons elected in Oct. 1812. In 1781 Baker himself purchased the estate of Ranston in Dorset, and in March was returned unopposed for Arundel at his own expense, with the support of Lord Surrey.

During February and March 1782 Baker voted with the Opposition in the first four of the five important divisions for which lists are extant, and paired in opposition on Rous’s no confidence motion, 15 Mar. In August 1782 Robinson, in his survey drawn up for Shelburne, thought Baker might be reckoned ‘hopeful with a little attention, as he was against the old Administration mostly when he attended, but indeed that was not much’.Laprade, 44. Baker did not vote on Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, 18 Feb. 1783; was classed by Robinson in March 1783 as a follower of Fox, but did not vote on Fox’s East India bill, 27 Nov. In Robinson’s list of January 1784 he was classed as ‘very hopeful’, and in Stockdale’s of 19 Mar. as a supporter of Pitt. There is no record of his having spoken in the House during this Parliament. He did not stand again in 1784.

Baker died 25 Aug. 1815, aged 59.