Family and Education

b. c.1697, 1st s. of Thomas Parker, M.P., 1st Earl of Macclesfield, by Janet, da. and h. of Robert Carrier of Wirksworth, Derbys. educ. I. Temple 1706; Clare, Camb. 1715; Corpus Christi, Camb. 1718; Grand Tour (Italy) 1720-2. m. (1) 18 Sept. 1722, Mary (d. 4 June 1753), da. and coh. of Ralph Lane, a Turkey merchant, of Woodbury, Cambs., 2s.; (2) 20 Dec. 1757, Dorothy Nesbitt, s.p. suc. fa. as 2nd Earl of Macclesfield 28 Apr. 1732.

Offices Held

Teller of the Exchequer 1719-d.; high steward, Henley-on-Thames.

Biography

Parker, who was endowed with a lucrative sinecure obtained for him by his father on becoming lord chancellor, entered Parliament as a Whig at a contested election in 1722. His only recorded speech was made on Sir William Yonge’s divorce bill, 5 Dec. 1724, when he spoke from personal knowledge of the lady.1 He did not stand again. A distinguished astronomer, he built an observatory at Shirburn and was largely responsible for the adoption of the ‘New Style’ calendar in 1752. He died 17 Mar. 1764.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

• 1. Knatchbull Diary.