James Marion Baker

American political figure

James Marion Baker


United States Ambassador to Thailand
In office December 9, 1933 – May 2, 1936
Appointed by	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	David E. Kaufman
Succeeded by	Edwin L. Neville
12th Secretary of the United States Senate
In office March 13, 1913 – May 19, 1919
Preceded by	Charles G. Bennett
Succeeded by	George A. Sanderson

Personal details
Born	(1861-08-18)August 18, 1861 South Carolina, United States
Died	November 21, 1940(1940-11-21) (aged 79)
Political party	Democratic

James Marion Baker (August 18, 1861 – November 21, 1940)^[1] was an American political figure, who held the position of Secretary of the United States Senate from 1913 to 1919.

Life and career

Baker was born in South Carolina, and came to serve as the assistant librarian of the United States Senate. In 1913, Baker was elected by the new, Democratic senate, as the eleventh secretary of the Senate after serving twenty years as assistant librarian.

At the retaking of the Senate by the Republican Party in 1919, Baker was replaced by George A. Sanderson, and President Woodrow Wilson appointed Baker deputy commissioner of internal revenue.

Baker left the government when Woodrow Wilson left the White House, and established a law firm.

In 1931, Baker retired to assist with Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential campaign. Baker later became a minister to Thailand in the Roosevelt administration, until retiring due to poor health in 1937.