Generic Parse Method without Boxing

Question

I am trying to write a generic Parse method that converts and returns a strongly typed value from a NamedValueCollection. I tried two methods but both of these methods are goin

Answer 1

Am I too late?

static Dictionary table = 
    new Dictionary{
        { typeof(int), (Func)Int32.Parse },
        { typeof(double), (Func)Double.Parse },
        // ... as many as you want
    };

static T Parse(string str)
{
    if (!table.TryGet(typeof(T), out Delegate func))
        throw new ArgumentException();
    var typedFunc = (Func)func;
    return typedFunc(str);
}

When in trouble with types, try delegates and dicts!