Thomas Baker (1656-1740) spent most of his long life at St John’s College, Cambridge pursuing historical research. He was also an avid book collector, and bequeathed his valuable library to the college. His writings included a history of the college, which was edited by John Mayor and published in 1869. Volume 1 begins with an account of the founding of the college in 1511, and goes on to list donors and details of their endowments, and the first scholars of the college. It also contains information about ordinances, petitions, and important individuals. Baker’s sources include written documentation (for example the ‘thick black book’ and the ‘white vellum book’) as well as oral traditions. His work is not merely a register of dates and numbers, but a fascinating account of two centuries of committed work and political manoeuvres underlying the later success of this rich and influential college.