Born in Houston, Texas. Received B.A. from Princeton University in 1952. Served with the United States Marine Corps 1952 to 1954. Received LL.B. from the University of Texas at Houston in 1957. Married Mart Stuart in 1953 until her death in 1970. Married Susan Garrett August 6, 1973. They have eight children.

Appointed Undersecretary of Commerce serving 1975 to 1976. Served as campaign chairman for George Bush in 1979 and 1980. Served as chief of staff in the White House 1981 to 1985. Appointed Secretary of the Treasury serving from February 3, 1985, to 1989. He switched jobs with Donald T. Reagan.

His signature appears on Federal Reserve Notes, series of 1985. Appointed Secretary of State by President Bush in 1989 and served until August 22, 1992. On August 23, 1992, he became White House chief of staff to work toward re-election of President Bush. Senior partner in Baker and Botts after 1993.

Baker appears on a mint medal (USM 231) as one of the series for Secretaries of the Treasury. The obverse was designed by Elizabeth Jones. The reverse was by Matthew Peloso.

bio: IntWW 92-93; NYT 84; WW 93; WWA 94; WWEast 91