BAKER, Thomas, a very ingenious and learned antiquary, descended from a family ancient and well esteemed, distinguished by its loyalty and affection for the crown, was born at Crook in 1656. He was educated at the free school at Durham, and thence removed to St John's college Cambridge in 1674. He proceeded B. A. 1677; M. A. 1681; was elected fellow, March 1679-80; ordained deacon by Bishop Compton of London, December 20. 1685; priest by Bishop Barlow of Lincoln, December 19. 1686. Dr Watson tutor of the college, who was nominated, but not yet consecrated, bishop of St David's, offered to take him for his chaplain, which he declined, probably on the prospect of a like offer from Lord Crew bishop of Durham, which he soon after accepted. His lordship collated him to the rectory of Long-Newton in his diocese, and the same county, June 1687; and, as Dr Grey was informed by some of the bishop's family, intended to have given him that of Sedgefield, worth 600l. or 700l. a-year, with a golden prebend, had he not incurred his displeasure and left his family for refusing to read King James II.'s declaration for liberty of conscience. The bishop, who disgraced him for this refusal, and was excepted out of King William's pardon, took the oaths to that king, and kept his bishopric till his death. Mr Baker resigned Long-Newton August 1. 1690, refusing to take the oaths; and retired to his fellowship at St John's, in which he was protected till January 20. 1716-17, when, with one and twenty others, he was dispossessed of it. After the passing the Registering Act 1723, he was desired to register his annuity of 40l. which the last act required before it was amended and explained. Though this annuity, left him by his father for his fortune, with 20l. per annum out of his collieries by his elder brother from the day of his death August 1699, for the remaining part of the lease, which determined at Whitsuntide 1722, was now his whole subsistence, he could not be prevailed on to secure himself, against the act. He retained a lively resentment of his deprivations; and wrote himself in all his books, as well as in those which he gave to the college library, socius ejectus, and in some ejectus rector. He continued to reside in the college as commoner-master, till his death, which happened July 2. 1740, of a paralytic stroke, being found on the floor of his chamber. In the afternoon of June 29. being alone in his chamber, he was struck with a slight apoplectic fit; which abating a little, he recovered his senses, and knew all about him, who were his nephew Burton, Drs Bedford and
Heberden. He seemed perfectly satisfied and resigned; and when Dr Bedford desired him to take some medicine then ordered, he declined it, saying, he would only take his usual sustenance, which his bed-maker knew the times and quantities of giving: he was thankful for the affection and care his friends showed him; but, hoping the time of his dissolution was at hand, would by no means endeavour to retard it. His disorder increased, and the third day from this seizure he departed. Being appointed one of the executors of his elder brother's will, by which a large sum was bequeathed to pious uses, he prevailed on the other two executors, who were his other brother Francis and the Hon. Charles Montagu, to lay out 1310l. of the money upon an estate to be settled upon St John's college for six exhibitioners. He likewise gave the college 100l. for the consideration of 6l. a-year (then only legal interest) for his life; and to the library several choice books, both printed and MS. medals, and coins; (besides what he left to it by his will; which were "all such books, printed and MS. as he had, and were wanting there.") All that Mr Baker printed was, 1. "Reflections on Learning, showing the insufficiency thereof in its several particulars, in order to evince the usefulness and necessity of Revelation, Lond. 1709-10," (which went through eight editions: and Mr Boswel, in his "Method of Study," ranks it among the English classics for purity of style); and, 2. "The preface to Bishop Fisher's Funeral Sermon for Margaret countess of Richmond and Derby, 1708; both without his name. Dr Grey had the original MS. of both in his own hands. The latter piece is a sufficient specimen of the editor's skill in antiquities to make us regret that he did not live to publish his "History of St John's College from the foundation of old St John's house to the present time; with some occasional and incidental account of the affairs of the university, and of such private colleges as held communication or intercourse with the old house or college: collected principally from MSS. and carried on through a succession of masters to the end of Bishop Gunning's mastership, 1670." The original, fit for the press, is among the Harleian MSS. No 7028. His MS. collections relative to the history and antiquities of the university of Cambridge, amounting to 49 volumes in folio and three in quarto, are divided between the British Museum and the public library at Cambridge; the former possesses 23 volumes, which he bequeathed to the earl of Oxford, his friend and patron; the latter 16 in folio and three in quarto, which he bequeathed to the university. Dr Knight styles him "the greatest master of the antiquities of this our university;" and Hearne says, Optandum est ut sua quoque collectanea de antiquitatibus Cantabrigiensibus juris faciat publici Cl. Bakerus, quippe qui eruditione summa judicioque acuti et subacti polleat. Mr Baker intended something like an Athenæ Cantabrigienses, on the plan of the Athenæ Oxonienses.