Sir Richard Chaffey Baker KCMG KC (22 June 1842 – 18 March 1911) was an Australian politician.

[1] He was the oldest son of twelve children – including younger sister Bessie – born to Isabella (née Allan) and John Baker,[2] who had settled in South Australia in 1839 after marrying in Van Diemen's Land the previous year.

He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in the same year and returned to Adelaide where he set up a practice with Charles Fenn.

Baker's legal practice suffered as he devoted more time to politics, and his appointment as Queen's Counsel in 1900 was somewhat controversial.

in 1870, and was appointed as Attorney-General in the third ministry of John Hart in May 1870, but returned to the backbenches in July 1871 in order to manage the affairs of his ailing father, and did not recontest his seat at the election late that year.

Two years later, Baker visited England, and on his return in early 1875, he declined an offer to serve in the cabinet of Sir Arthur Blyth.

[2] As per section 23 of the constitution, Baker exercised a full deliberative vote as president, although he "refused to take sides in the debates between free traders and protectionists".

[1] He occasionally made speeches on political matters, such as speaking against proportional representation during the debate on the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1902.

[2] In 1903, Baker represented Australia at the Delhi Durbar where King Edward VII was crowned Emperor of India.