Alexander Baring, 6th Baron Ashburton

Alexander Francis St Vincent Baring, 6th Baron Ashburton (7 April 1898 – 12 June 1991), was a British businessman and politician.

Early life Baring was born on 7 April 1898. He was the only son of Francis Baring, 5th Baron Ashburton, and the former Claire Hortense. Through his father, he was a member of the German Baring family and a descendant of American statesman William Bingham. He had four sisters, only one of whom married: Aurea Vera Baring, the wife of Maj. Charles Balfour (a grandson of Mark McDonnell, 5th Earl of Antrim).

Career From 1917 to 1923, during the First World War, he saw active service as a Lieutenant with the Royal Scots Greys. After the war, he served as a Managing Director of the family bank, Baring Brothers, from 1928 to 1962. Through her, the family acquired the famous 'Harcourt emeralds'. Together, they were the parents of two sons:

John Francis Harcourt Baring, 7th Baron Ashburton (1928–2020), who married Susan Mary Renwick, a daughter of Robert Renwick, 1st Baron Renwick. They divorced in 1984, and he remarried to Sarah Cornelia Spencer-Churchill, a daughter of John Spencer-Churchill and a grandniece of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Robin Alexander Baring (born 1931), who married Anne Caroline Thalia Gage (born 1931), eldest daughter of the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Major Edward F. P. Gage of Chateau de Combecave, in 1960.

Ashburton and his family lived in Hampshire, where he was active in public life and later as Lord Lieutenant of the county.

Ashburton died in 1991, leaving two sons. The barony passed to his elder son, John. Since his death, his Garter banner has been on display at Winchester Cathedral.

Arms

Awards and decorations Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of Saint John (1960) Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire (1960 to 1973) Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (1961 Birthday Honours) Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (1969)