Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Baines, Thomas (1806-1881)
BAINES, THOMAS (1806–1881), journalist and local historian, the third son of the late Edward Baines, M.P., was born at Leeds in 1806, In 1829 he settled in Liverpool as editor of the 'Liverpool Times' newspaper, and for thirty years was an active promoter of liberal interests in Lancashire. In 1852 he published a valuable history of the commerce and town of Liverpool, and in 1867 'Lancashire and Cheshire Past and Present,' having in 1859 settled in London at the Liverpool Office as a parliamentary agent. His last work, 'Yorkshire Past and Present,' was published in 1875; and on 31 Oct. 1881, he died at his residence, Seaforth Hall, near Liverpool. Two minor books of his were 'Agricultural Resources of Great Britain and the Colonies,' and 'Observations on the River Plate.' His county histories are characterised by fulness of details, clearness of statement, and orderly arrangement.
[Leeds Mercury, 2 Nov. 1881.]