# James Baker

> American lawyer and statesman (born 1930)

**Wikidata**: [Q223151](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223151)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Baker)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/james-baker

## Summary

James Addison Baker III is an American lawyer, diplomat, and statesman born on April 28, 1930. He has served in multiple high-profile positions within the United States government, including as U.S. Secretary of State, and is recognized as a prominent figure in American foreign policy and governmental administration. His career spans decades of public service, earning him numerous prestigious awards and recognition both domestically and internationally.

## Biography

- **Born:** April 28, 1930
- **Nationality:** American (citizen of the United States)
- **Education:** 
  - Princeton University (private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States; inception: 1746)
  - University of Texas School of Law (graduate school of the University of Texas at Austin; inception: 1883)
  - Additional institutions: Q7896446, Q7744702, Q85285
- **Known for:** Long career in American diplomacy and government service, including serving as U.S. Secretary of State
- **Employer(s):** United States Department of the Treasury (federal executive department; inception: September 2, 1789; headquarters: Q7836795; employees: 112,461)
- **Field(s):** Law, diplomacy, politics, government service

## Contributions

James Baker's contributions span multiple decades of public service. Based on the available source material, his notable positions and roles include:

- **U.S. Secretary of State:** Held one of the highest positions in the United States government, overseeing foreign policy
- **United States Department of the Treasury:** Served as a senior official in this federal executive department
- **Diplomatic Service:** Conducted diplomacy as an appointed representative of the United States to other nations and international organizations

## FAQs

**What is James Baker's professional background?**

James Baker is an American lawyer and statesman who has served in multiple high-ranking positions within the U.S. government, most notably as U.S. Secretary of State. His career encompasses work in law, diplomacy, and political leadership.

**What education did James Baker receive?**

James Baker received his education at Princeton University and the University of Texas School of Law, both prestigious American institutions with significant historical legacies in legal and political education.

**What awards has James Baker received?**

James Baker has received several notable awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the joint-highest civilian award of the United States), is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, has been named Financial Times Person of the Year, and has received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan.

**What organizations is James Baker affiliated with?**

James Baker is affiliated with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (an honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780), Princeton University, the University of Texas School of Law, and the United States Department of the Treasury.

## Why They Matter

James Baker matters as one of the most experienced and influential American diplomats and statesmen of his generation. His service as U.S. Secretary of State placed him at the center of American foreign policy decision-making during critical periods of international relations. The recognition he has received, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, demonstrates the high regard in which he is held by both governmental and international institutions. His work in diplomacy has contributed to shaping international relationships and American engagement with global partners. As a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Texas School of Law, his educational background represents two of America's most prestigious institutions, underscoring his qualification for the highest levels of government service.

## Notable For

- **U.S. Secretary of State:** Held the nation's top diplomatic position
- **Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient:** Awarded the United States' joint-highest civilian honor
- **Financial Times Person of the Year:** Recognized by a major international publication for his influence
- **Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun:** Received Japan's highest foreign honor (2003)
- **Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences:** Elected to the prestigious honorary society founded in 1780
- **Multiple government positions:** Served across various branches of the U.S. federal government

## Body

### Early Life and Education

James Addison Baker III was born on April 28, 1930, in the United States. He pursued higher education at Princeton University, one of the Ivy League institutions established in 1746, located in Princeton, New Jersey. Following his undergraduate education, he attended the University of Texas School of Law, which was founded in 1883 as a graduate school of the University of Texas at Austin. These educational institutions provided him with the foundational training for a career in law and public service.

### Professional Career

Baker's career has been characterized by long and distinguished service in American government. His primary occupations include lawyer, diplomat, politician, and statesman. He has held positions in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government, most notably serving as U.S. Secretary of State—one of the four original Cabinet positions and the senior-most official in the Department of State. His work in the United States Department of the Treasury further demonstrates his involvement in shaping American economic and fiscal policy at the highest levels.

### Diplomatic Service

As a diplomat, Baker has represented the United States in engagements with other nations and international organizations. His role as Secretary of State placed him at the forefront of American diplomacy, where he would have been responsible for overseeing foreign relations, negotiating international agreements, and representing U.S. interests abroad.

### Recognition and Awards

James Baker has received numerous forms of recognition for his service:

- **Presidential Medal of Freedom:** The joint-highest civilian award of the United States, bestowed by the President of the United States
- **Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences:** An honorary fellowship from one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies
- **Financial Times Person of the Year:** Recognized by the Financial Times for demonstrating considerable influence in a given year
- **Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun:** Japan's highest order of honor, awarded to foreign nationals for their contributions to promoting Japanese culture or advancing bilateral relationships

### Institutional Affiliations

Baker maintains affiliations with several prestigious institutions:

- **American Academy of Arts and Sciences:** Founded in 1780, this United States honorary society and policy research center is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts
- **Princeton University:** His alma mater, a private Ivy League research university
- **University of Texas School of Law:** His law school alma mater
- **United States Department of the Treasury:** Where he served in an official capacity

### Professional Classification

From an occupational standpoint, Baker's career encompasses multiple professional categories recognized internationally:

- **Lawyer:** A legal professional and member of the jurist profession
- **Diplomat:** A person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy
- **Politician:** A person who holds or seeks positions in government
- **Military officer:** A member of an armed force holding a position of authority

### Identifier Information

James Baker is identified across numerous international databases and knowledge systems, with properties including:

- Various Wikidata identifiers (P213, P214, P227, P244, P269, P271, P345, P349, P373, P409, P569, P646, P691, P935, P1006, P1015, P1207, P1225, P1263, P1284, P1296, P1309, P1315, P1375, P1417, P1559, P1617, P1695, P1741, P2163, P2190, P2600, P2605, P3065, P3222, P3417, P3430, P4293, P4342, P4629, P4985, P5019, P5034, P5421, P7293, P7305, P7369, P7400, P7502, P7666, P7699, P7902, P7982, P8094, P8179, P8189, P8313, P8349, P8445, P9037, P9629, P9802, P9984, P10242, P10328, P10660, P10832, P11182, P11496, P12385, P12582, P12597, P12854, P13049, P13591, P14178, P14225)
- Wikipedia title: "James Baker"
- Wikidata description: "American lawyer and statesman (born 1930)"
- Sitelink count: 53

### Legacy and Influence

James Baker's career represents a significant chapter in American diplomatic and governmental history. His service across multiple administrations and his holding of multiple Cabinet-level positions demonstrate the trust placed in him by the American political system. The awards and honors he has received, both from his own country and from foreign nations like Japan, attest to the international recognition of his contributions to diplomacy and public service. His educational background at Princeton and the University of Texas Law School positioned him for a career at the highest levels of American government, and his work continues to influence American foreign policy and governmental administration.

## References

1. [Source](https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=2526949&page=1)
2. James Baker: The Man Who Made Washington Work
3. [Source](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47639)
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
8. SNAC
9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. GeneaStar
12. Proleksis Encyclopedia
13. Munzinger Personen
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. Integrated Authority File
16. BBC Things
17. Quora
18. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/James_Baker-ZZMKM)