Thomas Nelson Parker (September 28, 1898 – May 12, 1973) was an American politician from Virginia. He was mayor of Richmond from 1950 to 1952, was chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia during the 1952 United States presidential election, and was Virginia Commissioner of Insurance from 1956 to 1969.
Early life
Thomas Nelson Page was born in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from John Marshall High School. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He was admitted to the bar in 1923.[1]
Career
After graduating, Parker practiced law privately until 1943.[1] He then became chief attorney for the Office of Price Administration in Richmond. He later was the head of the office's legal department across eight Southern states.[1] He was appointed by Governor Colgate W. Darden as special attorney to investigate the illegal slot machine business in Virginia.[2] Parker was mayor of Richmond from 1950 to 1952. He was state chair of Adlai Stevenson II's 1952 presidential campaign.[1] He was Virginia Commissioner of Insurance from 1956 to his retirement in 1971.[1]
Parker was president of the Christian Children's Fund in Richmond during the early 1940s. He was president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.[2]
Personal life
Parker married Helen Reid. They had two sons and a daughter, Thomas Nelson Jr., Edward R. and Mrs. James Paul.[2] He lived on Canterbury Road in Richmond.[2]
Parker died on May 12, 1973, at a hospital in Richmond. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Thomas Parker, Former State Official, Dies". The News. 1973-05-13. p. C8. Retrieved 2025-02-26 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "T. Nelson Parker Dies; Served as Mayor 1950-52". Richmond Times-Dispatch. May 13, 1973. p. B14. Retrieved February 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
