Parkinson, Cecil (1931-2016), was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He became minister of transport in 1989 but resigned from this Cabinet post in 1990. He previously had held the Cabinet posts of secretary of state for trade and industry from June to October 1983 and secretary of state for energy from 1987 to 1989. Parkinson also served as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1982 and 1983. Queen Elizabeth II made him a life peer in June 1992, and he took the title Baron Parkinson of Carnforth in the County of Lancashire.
Cecil Edward Parkinson was born on Sept. 1, 1931, in Carnforth, Lancashire, in England and educated at Lancaster Grammar School and Cambridge University. He began a business career in 1956, when he joined a firm of accountants. He became a partner in the firm in 1961 and later its director. He was elected a member of Parliament in 1970. Parkinson died on Jan. 22, 2016.
