1980's Government and Politics | Baker, James A., III 1930-

WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF, 1981-1985

SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, 1985-1988

Background.

Scion of a wealthy, established Houston family, Jim Baker attended eastern preparatory schools and graduated from Princeton University in 1952 and the University of Texas Law School in 1957. He spent his early career in business and corporate law, showing little interest in politics until he was nearly in his forties. (Some friends have suggested that he rarely voted.)

Political Friendship.

Yet both his first wife, who died in 1970, and his second wife were deeply involved in grassroots Republican politics in Texas and are considered to have sparked his interest in politics, as did his close friendship with George Bush, who was involved in the same Houston social and business circles as Baker. During the 1960s both joined the same Episcopal Church and became vestrymen. They were both tennis players and won the...