Biography

Medical Physician and Theologian, missionary to China. Dr. Parker played a significant role in bringing western medicine to China. He later served in a diplomatic role for the U.S. in China until 1857 when he returned to the United States. He resided in Washington, D.C., with his wife and son, and was popular in political and social circles. Fanny Seward recounts in her 1862-1863 diary that he dined at their home in Washington, D.C. in March 1863.