Richard Elliott PARKER, Congress, VA (1783-1840)

PARKER Richard Elliott , a Senator from Virginia; born at "Rock Spring," Westmoreland County, Va., December 27, 1783; attended the public schools and graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), Lexington, Va., in 1803; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1804 and practiced in Westmoreland County; member, State house of delegates 1807-1809; served as a lieutenant-colonel with the 111th Regiment during the War of 1812; returned to practice in Westmoreland County; judge of the general court of Virginia 1817-1836; judge of the Virginia court of law and chancery 1831-1836; elected as a Jacksonian (later Democrat) to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Benjamin W. Leigh and served from December 12, 1836, to March 13, 1837, when he resigned; judge of the State supreme court of appeals 1837-1840; died on his estate, "Soldier's Retreat," in Clarke County, Va., September 9, 1840; interment in Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery in Berryville, Clarke County,Va.

Bibliography

Dictionary of American Biography.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present