Lawrence Palk, 1st Baron Haldon (5 January 1818 – 22 March 1883), known as Sir Lawrence Palk, 4th Baronet from 1860 to 1880, was a British

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 Conservative Party

Conservative Party (UK)

The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...

 politician.

Biography

Born in London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

, he was the son of Sir Lawrence Palk, 3rd Baronet and his first wife Anna Eleanora Wrey, daughter of Sir Bourchier Wrey, 7th Baronet. Palk was educated at Eton College

Eton College

Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....

 in Berkshire

Berkshire

Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...

. In 1860, he succeeded his father as baronet. Palk entered the British House of Commons

British House of Commons

The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...

 for South Devon

South Devon (UK Parliament constituency)

South Devon, formally known as the Southern Division of Devon, was parliamentary constituency in the county of Devon in England. From 1832 to 1885 it returned two Knights of the Shire to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the bloc vote system.-Boundaries:In...

 in 1854 and sat for the constituency until 1868. Subsequently he represented East Devon

East Devon (UK Parliament constituency)

East Devon is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :...

 to 1880. After his retirement from politics, he was elevated to the Peerage of the United Kingdom

Peerage of the United Kingdom

The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...

 as Baron Haldon, of Haldon, in the County of Devon on 29 May 1880.

On 15 May 1845, he married Maria Harriett Hesketh, daughter of Sir Thomas Hesketh, 4th Baronet in Rufford, Lancashire

Rufford, Lancashire

-Population :-Economy:The village is largely rural with little or no industry. The farmland is grade one agricultural land. In the early 20th century the village was described as "one of the prettiest in South Lancashire" and was a destination for day trips from neighbouring towns...

. They had six children, four sons and two daughters. His oldest son Lawrence succeeded to the titles. In 1938, the barony reverted to the youngest son Edward, after whose death one year later it became extinct.