SON of the late William Baird of Gartsherrie, and his wife Janet Johnston, the late member of Parliament for the Central Division of Glasgow was born at Rosemount, Ayrshire, 31st May, 1854, and was educated at Eton and Christ Church. In 1877 he joined the 6th Dragoon Guards, and six months later transferred to the 16th Lancers; and though he left the army in 1882, he still takes an interest in military matters as commandant of the Ayrshire Imperial Yeomanry. In 1885 he made his first appeal to a constituency by contesting the Central Division of Glasgow against Mr. Gilbert Beith, and though he was unsuccessful, the split created in the Liberal party by Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule Bill gave him another opportunity in the following year, when he was returned by a majority of 1356. Afterwards, without other interruption than an occasional contest, he continued to hold the seat until the General Election of 1906. Among the causes which he has championed have been those of Private Bill legislation for Scotland and improvement in the conditions of workmen. He takes a strong interest also in the public and charitable movements in Glasgow. He is a J.P. and D.L. for the counties of Glasgow and Ayr.
    In 1881 Mr. Baird married Susan Georgiana, daughter of the Right Hon. Sir James Fergusson, Bart., of Kilkerran, and grand-daughter of the first Marquis of Dalhousie.

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