David S. Parker

David S. Parker is a Professor of History at Queen's University, specializing in urban South America's socio-legal and social history, particularly focusing on the middle class. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University (1991), an M.A. in Latin American Studies (1986), and a B.A. from Wesleyan University (1982). His research examines themes like dueling culture, urban social problems, and middle-class identity in 19th- and 20th-century South America. Current work explores global comparisons of urban social issues through SSHRC funding.

Research & Publications: Parker authored key works such as The Pen, the Sword, and the Law: Dueling and Democracy in Uruguay (2022) and Latin America's Middle Class: Unsettled Debates and New Histories (2012). His scholarship bridges legal history, urban sociology, and transnational class analysis. Recent media engagements include a 2023 talk on Uruguayan dueling legality and a 2024 article in History Today.

Awards: Recipient of Queen's University's History Department Teaching Award (2019) and Principal's Teaching Award (2018), reflecting his dedication to pedagogy. His research has been recognized via the James A. Robertson Prize for White-Collar Lima.

Teaching & Supervision: Teaches courses on modern Latin America, revolutions, race, and urban social history. Supervises graduate students focusing on urban South America, emphasizing Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. Courses include HIST 286: Latin America from 1850 to Today and HIST 866: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America.

Labs/Teams: Engaged in SSHRC-funded research on global comparisons of urban social issues. Collaborates with international scholars through publications and conferences.