On This Day

22 January 1826

Birth of Thomas Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook, Liberal MP for Penryn and Falmouth 1857-65

Baring was appointed to junior ministerial office almost immediately on his election to parliament and between 1857 and 1872 he held a succession of posts at the Admiralty, War Office and India Office. In February 1872 Northbrook was appointed Viceroy of India, however in January 1876 he resigned when his policy aimed at preventing the Second Afghan War was overruled. During Gladstone’s second government Northbrook served as First Lord of the Admiralty, however his opposition to Home Rule led him to refuse to serve in Gladstone’s third ministry and he effectively retired from public life.