James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale

The Right Honourable The Lord Wensleydale PC


Court of King's Bench
In office 28 November 1828 – 29 April 1834
Preceded by	Sir George Holyroyd
Succeeded by	John Williams
Court of Exchequer
In office 29 April 1834 – December 1855
Preceded by	John Williams
Succeeded by	Lord Bramwell
Lord of Appeal in Ordinary
Personal details
Born	22 March 1782
Died	25 February 1868 (1868-02-26) (aged 85)
Nationality	British
Spouse(s)	Cecilia Barlow
Alma mater	Trinity College, Cambridge
Profession	Barrister, Judge

James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale PC (22 March 1782 – 25 February 1868) was a British barrister and judge. After an education at The King's School, Macclesfield and Trinity College, Cambridge he studied under a special pleader, before being called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1813. Although not a particularly distinguished barrister, he was appointed to the Court of King's Bench on 28 November 1828, made a Privy Counsellor in 1833 and, a year later, a Baron of the Exchequer. He resigned his post in 1855, angered by the passing of the Common Law Procedure Acts, but was recalled by the government, who gave him a peerage as Baron Wensleydale, of Walton to allow him to undertake the Judicial functions of the House of Lords, a job he fulfilled until his death on 25 February 1868.

Parke was born on 22 March 1782 in Highfield, near Liverpool, to Thomas Parke, a merchant, and his wife Anne. He studied at The King's School, Macclesfield before matriculating to Trinity College, Cambridge on 28 February 1799, where he won the Craven scholarship, Sir William Browne's gold medal, and was fifth wrangler and senior chancellor's medallist in classics. He gained a Bachelor of Arts in 1802 and a Master of Arts in 1804. Although admitted to Lincoln's Inn on 10 May 1803, he transferred to the Inner Temple on 22 April 1812, and after studying with a special pleader was called to the Bar in 1813.