Convert System.Type to SqlDbType

Following function convert System.Type to SqlDbType. Note System.Stiring converts to SqlDbType.NVarChar

public static SqlDbType ToSqlDbType(Type type)
{
    SqlParameter p1 = new SqlParameter();
    System.ComponentModel.TypeConverter tc;
    tc = System.ComponentModel.TypeDescriptor.GetConverter(p1.DbType);

    if( tc.CanConvertFrom(type))
       p1.DbType = (DbType)tc.ConvertFrom(type.Name);
    else
    {
       try
       {
          p1.DbType = (DbType)tc.ConvertFrom(type.Name);
       }
       catch(Exception ex)
       {
       }
    }

    return p1.SqlDbType;
}