Rowland Baring, 3rd Earl of Cromer

George Rowland Stanley Baring, 3rd Earl of Cromer
Born	(1918-07-28) July 28, 1918
Died	March 16, 1991(1991-03-16) (aged 72) London, England
Occupation(s)	Banker, diplomat
Years active	1938–1974
Known for	Governor of the Bank of England (1961–1966), British Ambassador to the United States (1971–1974)

Lieutenant Colonel George Rowland Stanley Baring, 3rd Earl of Cromer (28 July 1918 – 16 March 1991), known as Viscount Errington until 1953, was a distinguished British banker and diplomat. After his service in the Second World War, he occupied prominent roles such as Governor of the Bank of England from 1961 to 1966 and British Ambassador to the United States between 1971 and 1974.

Early life and military career

Belonging to the notable Baring family, he was the eldest son of the 2nd Earl of Cromer and Ruby Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound. His education included time at Eton and a brief period at Trinity College, Cambridge. During the Second World War, he served with the Grenadier Guards, achieving the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and receiving appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Banking and diplomatic career

Following his role as private secretary to Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon, he began his career at Barings Bank—established by his ancestor Sir Francis Baring—starting as a clerk in 1938. After the war, he advanced to managing director of Barings from 1949 until 1959. Subsequently, he held senior positions within the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Finance Corporation. He also served as Economic Minister at the British Embassy in Washington.

In 1961, he was appointed Governor of the Bank of England, a position he held until 1966. His period in office was characterized by disputes with Prime Minister Harold Wilson regarding government expenditure limits, which contributed to his decision against pursuing a second term. Following this, he was sworn into the Privy Council and authored the Cromer Report concerning Lloyd's of London.

Between 1971 and 1974, he fulfilled duties as British Ambassador to the United States. During this tenure, he was honored with appointments as Knight Commander and later Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. Additionally, he acted as a Governor for the pro-NATO Atlantic Institute and participated on the executive committee of the Pilgrims Society. In 1977, he was inducted as a Knight Companion of the Garter.

Personal life

In 1942, Cromer married Hon. Esmé Mary Gabriel Harmsworth (1922–2011), daughter of Esmond Harmsworth, 2nd Viscount Rothermere. They had three children:

• Lady Lana Mary Gabriel (1943–1974);
• Evelyn Rowland Esmond (born 1946), who inherited the earldom; and
• Hon. Vivian John Rowland (born 1950), who wed his second cousin Lavinia Baring.

Both Esmé Harmsworth and Lavinia Baring held royal appointments—Esmé served as Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II, while Lavinia was Lady-in-Waiting to Diana, Princess of Wales.

During his tenure at the Bank of England in 1964, Cromer acquired a Fairey Huntsman 28 sports cruiser named Le Reve, which he relocated to France; this vessel is still recorded by the Fairey Owners Club.

The 3rd Earl passed away on 16 March 1991 in London. The Countess remarried in 1993 to Gerrit van der Woude.