Born in Bedford on 21 March 1830, the second son of Thomas Barnard (1784-1853) of Thomas Barnard & Co Bank, Thomas Barnard was educated at Bedford School.^[2][3] He became head of the banking house as well an associate of Samuel Whitbread, and was elected, with Whitbread, as a Whig Member of Parliament (MP) for Bedford at the General Election of 27 March 1857. He subsequently lost his seat at the General Election of 23 April 1859.^[4] He was Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire between 1862 and 1909^[5]

Thomas Barnard died at Cople House on 31 March 1909, at the age of 79.^[6]