James R. Parsons

Who is James R. Parsons?

James Ranelagh Ponsonby Parsons was a South Australian educator.

J. R. P. Parsons was born in Ireland, the son of Henry Parsons of Trim, County Meath. In 1848 he accompanied his parents to Tasmania, where he spent his early years. In 1875 he moved to South Australia, where he held positions on the teaching staffs of Moonta school, and in Adelaide, St Peter's College, Mr. J. L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution, and from 1882, Frederick Caterer's Glenelg Grammar School,. He then founded the Collegiate School in Broadstairs Street, Glenelg.

He was an active Churchman and for many years a lay reader, conducting services at St. Jude's, Brighton when it was without a permanent minister. His brother the Rev. Samuel Parsons D.D. was incumbent of All Saints', and Canon of St David's, Hobart.

He married Sarah Cole Parsons. Their eldest daughter, Emmeline Rutherford Parsons was married in 1895. Another daughter Rachel Cole Ponsonby Parsons died in 1939.

He died at the age of 66 years at his residence in Glenelg, after a long illness, leaving a widow and a grown-up family.