Robert Townley Parker

Robert Townley Parker (1793–1879) was a Unionist Member of Parliament for the United Kingdom House of Commons constituency of Preston.

He was the son of Thomas Townley Parker, Esq. of the cadet branch of the Towneley family of Towneley Hall. He inherited Cuerden Hall, near Preston, Lancashire and other such estates - including Astley Hall - on his father's death.

He presented a petition related to the Maynooth Grant affair to prevent Roman Catholic Members of Parliament from Voting on Church matters, complaining about duties on English goods in France and Belgium.

Townley Parker was elected Guild Mayor of Preston in 1861–2.

He was also a prominent Freemason. Whereas most Freemasons Lodges are named after areas or moral virtues, Townley Parker had the unusual honour of having not one but two Masonic Lodges named for him; namely Townley Parker Lodge 1032, which currently meets at Cunliffe Hall in Chorley and Townley Parker Lodge 1083, which meets in Manchester. In addition, he also has a Masonic Royal Arch Chapter named after him in East Lancashire.