PARKE, Henry (1790-1835) — London
Architect, artist and draughtsman. Etched and published his own Map of Nubia comprising the country between the First and Second Cataracts of the Nile from a survey made by H. Parke and I. I. Scoles Archts 1829, the lettering supplied by Thomas Milne 2 — the map compiled with the architect Joseph John Scoles (1798-1863). Also known for paintings in oil and water-colour.
Born in London 21 Nov 1790 and baptised 25 Dec 1790 at St. Martin in the Fields, the son of the well-known musician John Parke (1745-1829) and his wife, Hannah Maria Burnett (1754?-1835), who had married in 1772. Deterred from a legal career by a speech impediment, he took up drawing and was awarded five silver medals by the Society of Arts, and a gold medal in 1812. He was eventually apprenticed to Sir John Soane in November 1814, assisting him in his various activities. A number of his drawings for Soane survive in the Soane Museum. Parke left Soane in 1820 and travelled extensively, studying and drawing the buildings of antiquity, visiting Egypt and Nubia in 1823-1824 with Scoles. “Mr. Henry Parke, architect (son to the celebrated retired musician), returned to London last week from a five years’ professional tour of all the classical countries of Europe and Africa. Having regularly studied under some of the first architects of the present day, Mr. Parke’s capacious and enquiring mind led him to the commendable pursuit of exploring all the great venerated seats and sources of the fine arts, of which we read with so much delight; and the result of his tasteful researches, confined even to his professional acquirements, cannot fail proving of high public interest.— After pursuing his studies in Italy, the Mediterranean islands, and the other European classic grounds, for a considerable time, we understand he proceeded to Egypt, the whole of which interesting country, Lower and Upper, he attentively explored, tracing the course of the Nile to the Second Cataract, and the utmost extent of any former travels” (Morning Post, 12 Jan 1825). Exhibited landscapes and architectural designs at the Royal Academy 1815-1820 and 1826-1835, including “one of the most exquisitely fine architectural designs we have ever beheld” (Morning Post, 5 May 1827). Acted on behalf of the Westminster Commissioners for Sewers in a lease assignment matter in 1828 (papers in NA). He married Katherine Glassin (1800?-1881) at St. Peter & St. Paul, Bromley, 1 Oct 1831. A daughter was born at Fontainebleau in 1833. He built a house in Queen Square, facing St. James’s Park. He died 5 May 1835 and was buried 9 May at St. Martin in the Fields on the same day as his mother. His will in NA (PROB 11/1848/289) leaves everything to his wife. Some 600 of his drawings, presented by his widow, are preserved in RIBA, while many works in oil and water-colour were dispersed at Sotheby’s in May 1836. He was remembered as “Diffident and retiring … ill fitted for the jarring warfare of life, and consequently … little known beyond the immediate circle of his friends” (Gentleman’s Magazine).
67 Dean Street, Soho — 1815-1817
90 Dean Street, Soho — 1818-1833
24 Howland Street, Fitzroy Square – 1833-1835
BM. BNA. Colvin. Grant. Graves (1901) (1905). NA. ODNB.