James Parke, 1st Baron Wensleydale (1782-1868), Judge Sitter in
6 portraits Trained in the law, he was called to the Bar and
rapidly built up a legal practice. In 1828, he was raised to the
King's Bench and in 1834; he was transferred to the Court of the
Exchequer, where he exercised considerable influence as a judge
for almost twenty years until 1855. The government under Lord
Palmerston was keen to have his services as a Law Lord, and he
was made a life peer as Baron Wensleydale in 1856. There was
opposition in the House of Lords, particularly from the
Conservatives, to the notion of life peerages, as they feared
this would enable the government to swamp the House with its
supporters. Palmerston was determined to have him as a Law Lord,
and made Parke a heredity peer. by Sir George Hayter pen and ink
and wash, 1820 Law and Crime