Background
Parker, Peter was born on June 18, 1804 in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Nathan and Catherine (Murdock) Parker.
Parker, Peter was born on June 18, 1804 in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Nathan and Catherine (Murdock) Parker.
Graduated from Yale, 1831, Doctor of Medicine 1834.
1 son. Ordained to ministry Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, 1834. Sailed to Canton as 1st Protestant medical missionary to China, 1834. Opened hospital, Canton, began giving medical instruction to Chinese, 1835.
Accompanied Morrison expedition to Japan which tried to repatriate 7 shipwrecked Japanese sailors, 1835. An organizer Medical Missionary Society in China, 1838. Opened hospital in Macao, 1838.
United States agent in China, 1842-1855. A secretary to Caleb Cushing in negotiation of 1st treaty between United States and China, 1844. Secretary American legation, during interims between commissioner was charge d’affaires, 1845.
American commissioner, minister to China, 1855-1857. Elected regent Smithsonian Institution, 1868.
Married Harriet Colby Webster, March 29, 1841.