Phillip Parker King

Phillip Parker King  (13 December 1791 – 26 February 1856) was an explorer, Royal Navy officer and politician from the colony of New South Wales. He is known as an early explorer of the Australian coastline. He also took part in the survey of Patagonian coasts. He served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. In 1855, he was named as a rear admiral on the retired list. He was also a member of the Royal Society.

King was born on Norfolk Island. He was the son of Anna Josepha (née Coombe) and Philip Gidley King. He was named after his father's mentor, Arthur Phillip, the first governor of New South Wales and founder of the British penal colony which later became the city of Sydney. This explains the difference in spelling of his and his father's first names.

King married Harriet Lethbridge in 1817. The couple had eight children. Two of his sons, Philip Gidley (named after his grandfather) and John, were both pastoralists and politicians. King died in North Sydney on 26 February 1856 at the age of 64.

There are many instances of things named after King. King Sound of the Kimberley in Western Australia is named after him. There are also six reptile species named after King: Amphisbaena kingii, Chlamydosaurus kingii, Egernia kingii, Elgaria kingii, Hydrophis kingii and Liolaemus kingii.

References

Category:1791 births
Category:1856 deaths
Category:Australian explorers
Category:Exploration of Australia
Category:Norfolk Island
Category:Politicians from New South Wales
Category:Royal Navy officers
Category:Fellows of the Royal Society