David Parkes (antiquary)

David Parkes (1763-1833) was a British antiquary, known primarily for his extensive research and documentation of the history and antiquities of Shropshire, England.

Parkes was born in Shrewsbury and dedicated much of his life to collecting information about the county's historical buildings, monuments, and families. He meticulously documented monumental inscriptions from churches and churchyards, creating detailed rubbings and transcriptions which are invaluable resources for genealogical and local history research today. He also collected drawings, engravings, and other visual materials relating to Shropshire.

He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. While Parkes did not publish extensively during his lifetime, his vast collections of notes, drawings, and ephemera formed the basis for much subsequent historical writing on Shropshire. His materials were acquired after his death by various institutions, including the British Library and the Shropshire Archives, making them accessible to researchers. He is remembered as a diligent and dedicated local historian whose work continues to be consulted by scholars interested in the history of Shropshire.