Mark Baker (author)

Mark Baker (author)

Mark Baker (born 16 April 1985) is an author of several books on Welsh country houses and estates. His first book was published at the age of 13 in 1999 on the Rise and Fall of Gwrych Castle, Abergele by Gwasg Helygain, making him one of Britain's youngest published authors. He subsequently founded the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust at the age of sixteen in 2001 as well as spearheading a high profile campaign for the building's restoration. This proved fruitful when the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust precipitated the sale of Gwrych Castle by pursuing compulsory purchase action. This earned Baker recognition within the heritage world and he was made the youngest honorary life member of SAVE Britain's Heritage.

Baker was educated at Rydal-Penrhos School, Colwyn Bay and later attended the University of Wales, Bangor, in 2003; here he graduated with a BA in history and archaeology in 2006. Baker's MA was taken at Cardiff University, and he is currently working on a PhD, researching the development of Welsh Country Houses. Baker was made a member of the National Trust Committee for Wales in 2009.

In 2005 Baker published a history of Hafodunos, Llangernyw—a masterpiece of Victorian gothic architecture, which was followed by a detailed study of Wales' most important Jacobean mansion, Plas Teg, near Mold in 2006. The first pressing sold out and is now in its second edition.

On 1 September 2008, Forgotten Welsh Houses, co-authored with Michael Tree was published by Hendre House Publishing, sponsored by the Georgian Group and SAVE Britain's Heritage. This publication formed the basis for BBC One's 'Hidden Homes of Wales', broadcast in 2010, and for ITV Wales's Grand Declines, broadcast in 2012. A Royal Home in Wales: Llwynywermod, a book detailing the history of the Llwynywermod estate that is now the Welsh Royal home of The Prince of Wales was published by Accent Press on 10 November 2008. As of September 2007, an official website has been launched detailing all of Baker's work to date. Future publications to be released include histories of Baron Hill, Garthewin, and Gwylfa Hiraethog.

Baker, as of November 2011, is working with Linda Lamb on a collection of songs based on the poems of Margaret Sandbach of Hafodunos which will be released as an album in 2012. A book, based on Sandbach's life, will be co-authored with Welsh film maker, Dewi Gregory.