Merrick Baker-Bates was born 22 July 1939, the son of E. T. Baker-Bates, MD, FRCP, and of Norah Stuart (née Kirkham). He was educated at Shrewsbury School and Hertford College, University of Oxford (MA) and also at the College of Europe, Bruges [Belgium]. In 1963, he married Chrystal Jacqueline Goodacre, having one son and one daughter. He died on 24 February 2023.

After a brief spell as a journalist in Brussels, 1962-63, Baker-Bates entered the Diplomatic Service in 1963 and his career including the following posts: 3rd, later 2nd Secretary, Tokyo [Japan], 1963-68; 1st Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1968-73; 1st Secretary (Information), Washington [United States], 1973-76; 1st Secretary (Commercial), Tokyo, 1976-79; Counsellor (Commercial), Tokyo, 1979-82; Director, Cornes and Company, Tokyo, 1982-85; Representative Director, Gestetner Limited (Japan), 1982-85; Deputy High Commissioner and Counsellor (Commercial/Economic), Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], 1986-89; Head of South Atlantic and Antarctic Department, FCO, and Commissioner, British Antarctic Territory, 1989-92; Consul-General, Los Angeles, 1992-97; Historical Records Adviser, FCO, 2000-17.