The New International Encyclopædia/Parker, Hyde

PARKER, Sir (1759-1807). A British admiral, son of the vice-admiral of the same name, under whom he first served. He was knighted in 1779 for his success three years before in occupying the North River, which was strongly fortified by the colonial forces. He served through the Revolutionary War, was appointed commander-in-chief at Jamaica in 1796, and in January, 1801, was sent into the Baltic to terrorize Denmark. His lieutenant, Lord Nelson, urged bolder action than seemed good to Parker, and in the battle off Copenhagen took command in the lighter vessels because of the shallow channel, and refused to obey the order to retreat issued by Parker, who was loath to infringe the customary rules of naval warfare. Parker was soon replaced by Nelson, and saw no further service.