Robert Peel
1788–1850
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The terms "Liberal", "Conservative", "Tory" and "Whig" as party affiliations, mean quite different things today than they did in 19th century Britain so it is difficult to comprehend exactly what this transition meant without a solid understanding of political philosophy, but a few points of background can be pointed out. First, Peel and his cohorts came of age shortly after the French Revolution so the memory of revolution, anarchy, and bloodshed was still quite vivid, and the idea granting political power to an angry, dispossessed people such as the Irish struck many as exceedingly dangerous. Second, the ideas associated with the doctrine of "free-trade" as advocated by Adam Smith had been seeping into the political consciousness of both parties for decades, but the concept of applying these principles to agriculture and food-stuffs was utterly beyond the pale for many, and is still a highly contentious issue, (witness modern farm subsidies).
On the issues of both Catholic Emancipation, and Abolition of Corn Laws, Peel took a position in direct opposition to that of most of the Tory Party, of which he was a leader. In both cases he paid an immediate political sacrifice. Before he supported Catholic Emancipation he resigned from his position as MP of Oxford because he had been elected by Anglican priests who were uniformly opposed to the idea. When he supported abolition of the Corn Laws he knew perfectly well it would bring down his Tory Government and cost him his position as Prime Minister, and it did. He voted his conscience and paid the price.
Key events during the life of Sir Robert Peel:
| Robert Peel born to a wealthy industrial family. | |
| Studies mathematics and classics at Oxford. | |
| Election to the House of Commons from a 'rotten' borough. Ran as a Tory | |
| Became MP for Oxford University. | |
| Entered Cabinet as Home Secretary. | |
| Established the "Scotland Yard", a municipal police force. | |
| Supported Catholic emancipation and resigned as MP from Oxford. | |
| Reform bill of 1832 reforms parliament and expands the franchise. | |
| Elected Prime Minister but without a Tory majority. Withdrew after one year. | |
| Elected as Prime Minister for six years. | |
| Irish potato famine precipitates crisis in government. | |
| Passed a bill abolishing the Corn laws against strong opposition. Collapsed Tory government. | |
| Died following a horse accident in Hyde Park. |
Other Resources
| From Waterloo to Sevastopol in | The Hanoverians by C. J. B. Gaskoin |
| Period of Reform (1815-1837) in | The Story of England by Samuel B. Harding |
Image Links | ||
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Sir Robert Peel in The Hanoverians |
 A noticable figure on his grey Arab mare. in Life of Gladstone |
 Sir Robert Peel in Life of Gladstone |
 Sir Robert Peel in The Reign of Queen Victoria |
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| Napoleonic war general who fought in Spain and Portugal. Defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. | |
| Daniel O'Connell | Political leader of Irish Catholics during early 19th century. Promoted Catholic Emancipation. |
| Prime minister and member of the Liberal Party. Opponent of Disraeli. | |
| Longest reigning English Monarch. Presided over the British Empire at its height. | |
| Melbourne | Leader of the Whig party during the mid 19th century. |
| William IV | King of Britain who reigned during the 'reform' period in the 1830's. |