Henry Parker

Sir Henry Watson Parker, (1 June 1808 – 2 February 1881) was Premier of New South Wales. He fitted into colonial society and politics in the era before responsible government, but his style was not suited to the democratic politics that began to develop in 1856.

Biography Parker was the fourth son of Thomas Watson Parker and his wife Mary, née Cornell, of Lewisham, Kent, England. In order to improve his poor health, he joined the British East India Company and travelled to India, China and the Cape of Good Hope. Subsequently he toured France, Holland and Belgium, before securing employment in 1837 as private secretary to Sir George Gipps. In 1838 in this capacity he accompanied Gipps, now the incoming colonial Governor, to the Colony of New South Wales. In 1843 Parker married Emmeline Emily, third daughter of John Macarthur, which further linked him to the conservative colonial establishment.

Parker was elected as member for Parramatta in the first Legislative Assembly.

Premier He left an estate of £140,000.

Recognition Parker was knighted in 1858 and created Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1877.