Colonel James Dampier Palmer MP (6 September 1851 – 18 October 1899), was an English businessman, British Army officer, and a Progressive-Conservative politician.

During his political career, he served as a Member of Parliament for Gravesend on 8 July 1892 – 2 July 1898, leaving his seat in Parliament before the end of his second term as he had accepted the Stewardship of the three Chiltern Hundreds.

[8] He was later appointed Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Volunteer (Kent) Brigade, Cinque Ports Division, Royal Artillery.

Elizabeth's maternal grandfather was James Planché, a British dramatist, antiquary and officer of arms.

[2] A brass plate commemorating Palmer's donations to the parish, including chancel screen, choir seats, choir screens, the lectern, and the pulpit, is located at the Parish Church of St. Mildred in Tenterden.