John Parker, 1st Earl of Morley

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John Parker, 1st Earl of Morley FRS (3 May 1772-14 March 1840), known as Lord Boringdon from 1788 to 1815, was a British peer and politician.

Morley was the only son of John Parker, 1st Baron Boringdon, and his second wife the Hon. Theresa Robinson, daughter of Thomas Robinson, 1st Baron Grantham. His mother died when he was three years old and his father when he was fifteen. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and took his seat in the House of Lords on his 21st birthday in 1793. Morley was an active member of the House of Lords, initially supporting government policies until the death of William Pitt the Younger in 1806. After Pitt's death he supported George Canning, with whom he corresponded on political matters for many years. In 1815 he was created Viscount Boringdon, of North Molton in the County of Devon, and Earl of Morley, in the County of Devon. After Canning's death in 1827 he began to support the Whigs, and voted for the Great Reform Act of 1832. Apart from his involvement in national politics, Morley was also a great benefactor to public works in his home county of Devon and was a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Lord Morley married, firstly, Lady Augusta Fane, second daughter of John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland, in 1804. They had one son, who died young, and were divorced in 1809. He married, secondly, Frances Talbot, daughter of Thomas Talbot, in 1809. They had one son and one daughter. Lord Morley died at his seat of Saltram House in March 1840, aged 67, and was succeeded in his titles by his only son Edmund. Lady Morley died in 1857.


Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
New Creation		 Earl of Morley
1815–1840		 Succeeded by
Edmund Parker
Peerage of Great Britain
Preceded by
John Parker		 Baron Boringdon
1788–1840		 Succeeded by
Edmund Parker

[edit] References

  • Stephen, Sir Sidney; Lee, Sir Sidney (editors). The Dictionary of National Biography: From the Earliest Times to 1900 - Volume XI Owens-Pockrich. Oxford University Press.
  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
  • Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page
  • www.thepeerage.com
  • David Beamish's Peerage Page