The Earl of Cromer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| British Ambassador to the United States | |
| In office 1971–1974 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Ted Heath Harold Wilson |
| Preceded by | John Freeman |
| Succeeded by | Peter Ramsbotham |
| Governor of the Bank of England | |
| In office 1 July 1961 – 30 June 1966 | |
| Preceded by | The Lord Cobbold |
| Succeeded by | Sir Leslie O'Brien |
| Member of theHouse of Lords | |
Lord Temporal | |
| In office 13 May 1953 – 16 March 1991 | |
| Preceded by | The 2nd Earl of Cromer |
| Succeeded by | The 4th Earl of Cromer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Rowland Stanley Baring (1918-07-28)28 July 1918 |
| Died | 16 March 1991(1991-03-16) (aged 72) London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, includingEvelyn |
| Parent |
|
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Banker, diplomat |
| Awards | Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Member of the Order of the British Empire |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1938–1948 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Service number | 87193 |
| Unit | Grenadier Guards |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
Lieutenant ColonelGeorge Rowland Stanley Baring, 3rd Earl of Cromer (28 July 1918 – 16 March 1991), styledViscount Errington before 1953, was a British banker and diplomat. After serving during theSecond World War, he wasGovernor of the Bank of England (1961–1966) andBritish Ambassador to the United States (1971–1974).
A member of theBaring family and the eldest son of the2nd Earl of Cromer and his wife Ruby Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, he was educated atEton andTrinity College, Cambridge, where he left after a year. He served with theGrenadier Guards during theSecond World War, where he gained the rank ofLieutenant-Colonel and became a Member of theOrder of the British Empire.[1]
After serving as private secretary toFreeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon, in 1938, he joinedBarings Bank, founded by his ancestorSir Francis Baring, as a clerk. After military service during the war, he was managing director of Barings between 1949 and 1959. He then served as Economic Minister at theBritish Embassy in Washington as well as holding executive directorships at theInternational Monetary Fund, theInternational Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and theInternational Finance Corporation.
He was appointedGovernor of the Bank of England in 1961, a position he held until 1966. During his governorship he clashed with the incomingLabour Prime MinisterHarold Wilson over Cromer's desire to see government spending contained, which may have contributed to his decision not to seek a second term. Cromer was subsequently appointed to thePrivy Council. He was responsible for the Cromer Report[clarification needed] intoLloyd's of London.
From 1971 to 1974, he served as British Ambassador to the United States. Following his appointment he became a Knight Commander of theOrder of St Michael and St George,[2] and was raised to the rank of Knight Grand Cross in 1974.[3] He was a Governor of the pro-NATOAtlantic Institute and a member of thePilgrims Society executive committee.
In 1977, he was made aKnight Companion of the Garter.[4]
Cromer married the Hon. Esmé Mary Gabriel Harmsworth (1922–2011) in 1942, daughter ofEsmond Harmsworth, 2nd Viscount Rothermere.[citation needed]
They had three children:
Both the Countess of Cromer and her daughter-in-law were royal attendants. Esmé Harmsworth was a Lady of the Bedchamber toQueen Elizabeth II, while Lavinia Baring was a Lady-in-Waiting toDiana, Princess of Wales.[citation needed]
In 1964, during the period he was at the Bank of England, Cromer purchased a Fairey Huntsman 28 sports cruiser from Fairey Marine, Hamble. Bearing the nameLe Reve, the vessel was taken to France. The boat still exists, and details can be seen on the Fairey Owners Club website.[5]
The 3rd Earl died on 16 March 1991 in London. The Countess remarried in 1993 to Gerrit van der Woude.
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| Court offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Page of Honour 1931–1935 | Succeeded by |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of the Bank of England 1961–1966 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | British Ambassador to the United States 1971–1974 | Succeeded by |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by | Earl of Cromer 1953–1991 Member of theHouse of Lords (1953–1991) | Succeeded by |
| Viscount Cromer 1953–1991 | ||
| Baron Cromer 1953–1991 | ||
