### Henry Parkes Biography
**1. Early Life**
Sir Henry Parkes was born on May 27, 1815, in Canley, Warwickshire, England. He was the youngest child of a family of tenant farmers, Thomas Parkes and Martha Faulconbridge. The financial struggles of his family meant that Henry had a limited formal education, attending school only briefly before starting work at a young age to help support his family. In 1839, seeking better prospects, Parkes emigrated to Australia, arriving in Sydney with very little to his name.
**2. Career**
Upon his arrival in Australia, Parkes initially worked in odd jobs before finding employment as a laborer for the government. His career took a pivotal turn when he ventured into the ivory and bone turning trade, eventually establishing his own business. However, his interests soon turned to politics and journalism. In 1842, he founded a newspaper, *The Empire*, which became a platform for his advocacy for political reform.
Parkes entered politics in 1854, winning a seat in the New South Wales Legislative Council. His political career was marked by several terms and positions, including serving as the Premier of New South Wales for five separate terms between 1872 and 1891. He was a staunch advocate for educational reform, infrastructure development, and federation.
**3. Notable Achievements**
Henry Parkes is best known as the "Father of Federation" due to his pivotal role in initiating the federation of Australia. He famously delivered the Tenterfield Oration on October 24, 1889, which effectively set the course for the eventual federation of the Australian colonies. His vision and relentless advocacy were instrumental in the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, although he did not live to see this achievement.
In addition to his contributions to federation, Parkes was instrumental in the development of the public education system in New South Wales, advocating for free, compulsory, and secular education which led to the Public Instruction Act of 1880.
**4. Personal Life**
Henry Parkes married Clarinda Varney in 1836, and the couple emigrated to Australia together. They had twelve children, although only half survived to adulthood. After Clarinda’s death in 1884, Parkes married Eleanor Dixon in 1889. His personal life was marked by financial struggles despite his political success, and he often found himself in debt.
Parkes's health began to decline in the early 1890s, and he died on April 27, 1896, in Annandale, New South Wales. He left a legacy as a visionary leader whose efforts helped shape the nation of Australia.
### Related People
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Clarinda-Varney**: Henry Parkes's first wife, who supported him through much of his early career.
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Eleanor-Dixon**: His second wife, whom he married later in life.
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Thomas-Parkes**: His father, who struggled financially as a tenant farmer in England.
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Martha-Faulconbridge**: His mother, from whom he inherited a strong sense of determination.
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Alfred-Deakin**: A fellow politician and later the second Prime Minister of Australia, who also played a significant role in the federation movement, although his active involvement came after Parkes's time.
Henry Parkes remains a monumental figure in Australian history, celebrated for his vision and enduring impact on the nation’s development and unity.