Son of a West India merchant who was compensated for 400 slaves when the British government
emancipated them during the
1830s, Parker was educated at Eton and University College, Oxford.
1 After some years as a public examiner, Parker served as private secretary to Secretary
of State for the Colonies
Edward Cardwell during his tenure from
1864 to 1866.
2 When the Liberal Party returned to power in
1868, Parker served as
Cardwell's private secretary again during the latter's tenure as secretary of state for war.
He played a considerable role in
Cardwell's army reforms.
3 In
1899, Parker published in three volumes
Life of Sir Robert Peel from his private papers.
4 Made a privy councillor in
1907, Parker was one of the signatories of the Proclamation of King George V shortly before
he died in
1910.
5