Parkes, Sir Henry, 1815 – 1896

Sir Henry Parkes (1815-1896), journalist and parliamentarian, was born at Warwickshire, England, youngest child of Thomas Parks and his wife Martha, nee Faulconbridge. After limited formal education Parkes was apprenticed as a bone and ivory turner. In 1836 he married Clarinda Varney and after his business failed Parkes and his wife departed England for Australia in 1839. Parkes took up various manual positions before establishing a business in 1845 as an ivory turner and importer of fancy goods. This business expanded and was in financial difficulty by 1850.

Parkes became involved in literary and political activities in Sydney and contributed articles to journals and newspapers, sometimes under the pseudonym 'Faulconbridge'. In 1850 he was involved in the establishment of the Empire newspaper and was editor-proprietor until 1958 when he was again in financial difficulty and was made bankrupt. In 1861 Parkes travelled to England as an Emigration Commissioner for which he was paid by the government. On his return in 1863 he became an importer but was again made bankrupt in 1870. He wrote and published a number of works and was extremely active in various political organisations.

Parkes was appointed a member of the old Legislative Council (1854-1856) and was elected a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly in the first parliament after responsible government in 1856. He was elected an MLA in the seats of Sydney (City), 1856; Cumberland, 1858; East Sydney, 1859-1861; Kiama, 1864-1870; East Sydney, 1869-1870; Mudgee, 1872; East Sydney, 1872-1877; Canterbury, 1877-1880; East Sydney, 1880-1882; Tenterfield, 1882-1884; Argyle, 1885; and St Leonards, 1885-1895. Parkes was appointed Colonial Secretary (1866-1868) and Premier and Colonial Secretary (1872-1875, 1877, 1878-1883, 1887-1889, 1889-1891). He was Secretary for Lands (1888). Parkes was active in the anti-transportation movement, established the Australian League (1850) and was prominent in the movement for Federation.

Parkes was appointed K.C.M.G. in 1877 and G.C.M.G. in 1888. Parkes first wife Clarinda died in 1888 and in 1889 he married secondly Eleanor Dixon. After her death in 1895 he married thirdly Julia Lynch.[ref:ADB 5]