PARIS, MATTHEW (c. 1195-1259).—­Chronicler, entered in 1217 the Benedictine Monastery of St. Albans, and continued the work of Roger de Wendover (q.v.) as chronicler of the monastery.  In 1248 he went on the invitation of Hacon King of Norway to reform the Abbey of St. Benet Holm.  In this he was successful, and on his return to England enjoyed the favour of Henry III., who conversed familiarly with him, and imparted information as to matters of state, which constitutes a valuable element in his histories.  He had a high reputation for piety and learning, was a patriotic Englishman, and resisted the encroachments of Rome.  His chief work is Historia Major, from the Conquest until 1259.  In it he embodied the Flores Historiarum of his predecessor Roger, and the original part is a bold and vigorous narrative of the period (1235-59).  He also wrote Historia Minor and Historia Anglorum, a summary of the events (1200-1250).

PARK, MUNGO (1771-1806).—­Traveller, b. near Selkirk, studied medicine at Edin.  As a surgeon in the mercantile marine he visited Sumatra, and on his return attracted the attention of various scientific men by his botanical and zoological investigations.  In 1795 he entered the service of the African Association, and made a voyage of discovery on the Niger.  His adventures were pub. in Travels in the Interior of Africa (1799), which had great success.  He m. and set up in practice in Peebles; but in 1805 accepted an invitation by Government to undertake another journey in Africa.  From this he never returned, having perished in a conflict with natives.  His narratives, written in a straightforward and pleasing style, are among the classics of travel.

PARKER, THEODORE (1810-1860).—­Theologian, b. at Lexington, Massachusetts, ed. at Harvard, was an indefatigable student, and made himself master of many languages.  In 1837 he was settled at West Roxbury as a Unitarian minister, but the development of his views in a rationalistic direction gradually separated him from the more conservative portion of his co-religionists.  He lectured on theological subjects in Boston in 1841, travelled in Europe, and in 1845 settled in Boston, where he lectured to large audiences, and exercised a wide influence.  He took a leading part in the anti-slavery crusade, and specially in resisting the Fugitive Slave Act.  In 1859 his health, which had never been robust, gave way; he went to Italy in search of restoration, but d. at Florence.  Although he was a powerful theological and social influence, his writings are not of corresponding importance:  it was rather as a speaker that he influenced his countrymen, and he left no contribution to literature of much permanent account, though his coll. works fill 14 vols.  Among the most outstanding of his writings are A Discourse of Matters Pertaining to Religion, and Sermons for the Times.