Baker,

Baker, SIR RICHARD, author of the Chronicle of the Kings of England, a work without which no country gentleman's library was complete, and often referred to by 'Sir Roger de Coverley.' Notwithstanding its reputation, however, the book had no lack of errors, and now is all but forgotten. Its author, born in Kent about the year 1568, was educated at Oxford University, and was knighted in 1603. In 1620 he was high-sheriff of Oxfordshire; but in 1635 he was thrown into the Fleet Prison for debt which his wife's family had contracted, but for which he had become responsible. Here he wrote his Chronicle, first published in 1643. besides several pious works of less note. He died a prisoner, in great poverty, in 1645.