Joseph Parry (1744–1826), was son of a master-pilot, born in Liverpool in 1744. Parry was apprenticed to a ship and house painter in Liverpool, but chose to study art in his free time. Once his apprenticeship finished he began practising as a professional artist. In 1790 he moved to Manchester, where his work proved successful. He remained in Manchester for the rest of his life.

Parry painted portraits, including one self-portrait, as well as some large historical compositions, pictures of shipping and landscapes.

Parry is best known for his scenes of everyday life in Manchester, such as ‘The Old Market Place and Shambles at Manchester,’ and the ‘Old Bridge,’ Manchester. His work ‘Eccles Wake,’ a private commission for a Liverpool gentleman, contains two hundred figures, all separate studies drawn from life.

Parry was survived by his four sons, two of whom became artists themselves.