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James Baker

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James Baker
James Baker
source
NameJames Baker
CaptionOfficial portrait, c. 1989
Office61st United States Secretary of State
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Term startJanuary 25, 1989
Term endAugust 23, 1992
PredecessorGeorge P. Shultz
SuccessorLawrence Eagleburger
Office167th United States Secretary of the Treasury
President1Ronald Reagan
Term start1February 4, 1985
Term end1August 17, 1988
Predecessor1Donald Regan
Successor1Nicholas F. Brady
Office2White House Chief of Staff
President2Ronald Reagan
Term start2January 20, 1981
Term start2February 4, 1985
Predecessor2Jack Watson
Successor2Donald Regan
PartyRepublican
Alma materPrinceton University (BA), University of Texas School of Law (JD)
SpouseMary Stuart McHenry (m. 1953; died 1970), Susan Garrett Winston (m. 1973)
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
Serviceyears1952–1954
RankCaptain
BattlesCold War

James Baker served as a central figure in American government during the late 20th century, holding several of the nation's highest offices. He is best known for his tenure as the 61st United States Secretary of State under President George H. W. Bush, where he managed pivotal foreign policy during the end of the Cold War. His earlier career included serving as White House Chief of Staff and 67th United States Secretary of the Treasury for President Ronald Reagan, establishing him as a master political strategist and trusted advisor.

Early life and education

Born in Houston, Texas, into a prominent family, he was the grandson of a founder of the Baker Botts law firm. He attended the Hill School in Pennsylvania before earning a Bachelor of Arts in history from Princeton University in 1952. After serving as a United States Marine Corps officer, he obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in 1957. He then began practicing law in Houston, eventually becoming a partner at Andrews Kurth.

Political career

His political involvement began in 1970 after the death of his first wife, when he managed a successful United States Senate campaign for his friend George H. W. Bush. He later served as the Under Secretary of Commerce for President Gerald Ford. After managing Bush's 1980 presidential primary campaign, he joined the administration of Ronald Reagan, first as the White House Chief of Staff from 1981 to 1985. In that role, he was instrumental in navigating the passage of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and managing the administration's legislative strategy.

Secretary of State

Appointed by President George H. W. Bush, he served as 61st United States Secretary of State from 1989 to 1992. His tenure was defined by adept diplomacy during a period of historic global transformation. He played a crucial role in managing the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany, building strong relationships with leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev and Helmut Kohl. He also assembled and maintained the broad international coalition during the Gulf War, which successfully expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait. His "shuttle diplomacy" was key to convening the Madrid Conference of 1991, initiating direct peace talks between Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation.

Later government service

After leaving the United States Department of State, he returned to the White House in 1992 to serve as White House Chief of Staff and Senior Counselor to the President for Bush's re-election effort. Following the election of President Bill Clinton, Baker was appointed a United Nations special envoy to Western Sahara. In 2000, he was called upon again to act as chief legal advisor for George W. Bush during the contentious Bush v. Gore Florida recount. He later served as the co-chair of the Iraq Study Group in 2006, which assessed the Iraq War and offered strategic recommendations.

Post-government career

Since leaving full-time government service, he has remained active in public policy and business. He is a senior partner at the law firm Baker Botts and has held positions on corporate boards such as Carlyle Group. He founded the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, a major nonpartisan think tank. He has authored several books on diplomacy and continues to be a frequent commentator on foreign affairs, advocating for pragmatic international engagement.

Personal life

He married Mary Stuart McHenry in 1953, with whom he had four sons; she died in 1970. In 1973, he married Susan Garrett Winston, a widow with four children, and they combined their families. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and tennis. His deep friendship with the Bush family, particularly George H. W. Bush, has been a defining personal and professional relationship throughout his life. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.

Category:1930 births Category:United States Secretaries of State Category:American diplomats Category:People from Houston Category:Princeton University alumni