James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale
(1782-1868), JudgeEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 7 portraits
Trained in the law, he was called to the Bar and rapidly built up a legal practice. In 1828, he was raised to the King's Bench and in 1834; he was transferred to the Court of the Exchequer, where he exercised considerable influence as a judge for almost twenty years until 1855. The government under Lord Palmerston was keen to have his services as a Law Lord, and he was made a life peer as Baron Wensleydale in 1856. There was opposition in the House of Lords, particularly from the Conservatives, to the notion of life peerages, as they feared this would enable the government to swamp the House with its supporters. Palmerston was determined to have him as a Law Lord, and made Parke a heredity peer.
William Adams, James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale and Sir Christopher Robinson
by Sir George Hayter
pen and ink and wash, 1820
NPG 1695(h)
The Trial of Queen Caroline 1820
by Sir George Hayter
oil on canvas, 1820-1823
NPG 999
James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale
by Sebastian Evans
pencil, 1848
NPG 2173(1)
James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale
by George James Howard, 9th Earl of Carlisle
pencil, circa 1863
NPG 2028
James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale
by William Walker & Sons
albumen carte-de-visite, 1862-1866
NPG x27343
James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale
by William Walker & Sons
albumen carte-de-visite, 1862-1866
NPG Ax9866
James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale
by and published by William Walker, after Thomas Phillips
mezzotint, published 5 July 1847
NPG D37647
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