Richard Baker

Richard Baker, PhD, DIC, FHG, AIH, received his Doctorate in Biochemistry from Imperial College, London, and went on to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Having a life-long interest in history, he came to genealogy as a hobby in 1973, before joining the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies at Canterbury in 1988. At the Institute, he was able to indulge his passion for heraldry whilst teaching family history and leading the Institute's charitable research into inherited diseases. Richard joined the Institute's Examining Board in 1993, was appointed Vice-Principal in 1994 and Principal in 2010. He retired as Principal in 2020.

Richard is an experienced Tutor and Lecturer in all aspects of Genealogy, but his specialist interests are in Heraldry and Palaeography. He lectures regularly at the International Genealogical and Heraldic Congresses and is an Academician of the Académie Internationale d'Héraldique, a Council Member of the Heraldry Society and President of the International Federation of Schools of Family History.