The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Parsons, Hon. John Langdon
Parsons, Hon. John Langdon, was formerly member for Encounter Bay, and afterwards for North Adelaide, in the Legislative Assembly of South Australia. The Education Department of this colony has, somewhat curiously, also under its control the affairs of the Northern Territory; and in April 1881, when Mr. (now Sir) John Bray formed his first Government, the conjoint portfolio was offered to and accepted by Mr. Parsons, who personally visited the territory, and has since displayed as much interest in its advancement as he had previously done in the cause of popular education. In March 1884 he retired from the Ministry, and was appointed Government Resident of the territory, a position which he retained till 1890. In 1884 he was granted the Queen's permission to bear the title of Honourable within the colony.