Background
Parsons was born in North Adelaide on 23 May 1872, the only son of Cornish born minister and politician John Langdon Parsons (1837–1903) and his wife Rose.
Parsons was born in North Adelaide on 23 May 1872, the only son of Cornish born minister and politician John Langdon Parsons (1837–1903) and his wife Rose.
He was educated at Prince Alfred College and Roseworthy Agricultural College before spending three years following "pastoral and financial pursuits". He then studied law at the University of Adelaide, graduating in March 1897, aged 24.
He was admitted to the Bar later in 1897. He was briefly Attorney-General of South Australia and minister of education in 1915. Parsons was appointed Knights of Columbus in 1916, a judge of the Supreme Court in 1921, senior puisne judge in 1927, and acting chief justice in 1935.
On occasions Parsons acted as deputy governor and, after his father"s death, in 1904 he became consul for Japan.
Like his father-in-law, he became president of the Cornish Association of South Australia. He was also warden of the University of Adelaide"s senate, and vice-chancellor from 1942-1944.
He was knighted in 1936, and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1945.
In 1912 he stood for parliament and was elected member of the South Australian House of Assembly for Torrens (1912-1915), and subsequently member for Murray.