Northbrook

Northbrook village (1990 pop. 32,308), Cook co., NE Ill., a suburb of Chicago; settled 1836. It was incorporated as Shermerville in 1901 and was reincorporated as Northbrook in 1923. Largely residential, it has some industry and research laboratories and is an insurance center. Once a farming community, Northbrook developed industry after the coming of a railroad in 1871. Botanical gardens and a forest preserve are just east of the village.

Northbrook, Thomas George Baring, 1st earl of (1826–1904). Baring's father was grandson of the founder of the banking firm, served as chancellor of the Exchequer under Melbourne 1839–41, was created baron in 1866, and died eight months later. Thomas Baring sat in the Commons as a Liberal 1857–66, and held a number of minor posts before serving as viceroy of India 1872–6, retiring after Salisbury had taken over as secretary of state for India in Disraeli's government. In India he succeeded Lord Mayo, who had been assassinated. Much of his time was devoted to attempting to deal with the Bengal famine, which he succeeded in holding in check. His desire to keep taxation down would, in any case, have ruled out expansionist policies. He was given an earldom on his retirement and served as 1st lord of the Admiralty in Gladstone's second administration 1880–5. He left the Liberals over Home Rule in 1886 and did not hold office again. A cautious, reserved, and conservative man, Northbrook was a typical Whig, committed to public service without much enthusiasm.

J. A. Cannon

Northbrook, Thomas George Baring, 1st earl of (1826–1904). Baring's father was grandson of the founder of the banking firm, served as chancellor of the Exchequer under Melbourne 1839–41, and was created baron in 1866. Thomas Baring sat in the Commons as a Liberal 1857–66, and held a number of minor posts before serving as viceroy of India 1872–6. In India he succeeded Lord Mayo, who had been assassinated. Much of his time was devoted to attempting to deal with the Bengal famine, which he succeeded in holding in check. He was given an earldom on his retirement and served as 1st lord of the Admiralty in Gladstone's second administration 1880–5. He left the Liberals over Home Rule in 1886 and did not hold office again.