 His election to a prominent position was said to be a result of the influence of his father-in-law, Thomas Elder of Forneth, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, whose eldest daughter had married Baird some years previously.It is reputed to have been jocularly said that Baird's chief claim to the Principalship was as "Husband" of the Lord Provost's daughter.Nevertheless, Baird held the Principalship for the long period of 47 years.