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Mr. Thomas Baring (1799-1873), grandson of Francis Baring, founder of Barings, headed up the merchant bankers and helped to establish it as a centre for international finance before becoming chairman of Lloyd's, a director of the Bank of England and, later, a member of Parliament. Baring was twice approached to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, a position he declined in favour of remaining a 'quietly useful' member of a mercantile body. 39223-01 (KEYSTONE/CAMERA PRESS/ILN)