What was robert peel famous for

1. Biography of Robert Peel
2. Early Political Career
3. Opposition to Catholic Emancipation
4. Reform and Leadership
5. Prime Minister
6. Achievements in Office
7. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Robert Peel

Robert Peel was a British statesman and the founder of the Conservative Party. He served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1834-35 and 1841-46. Peel was born on February 5, 1788, in Bury, Lancashire. He was the eldest son of Robert Peel, a successful cotton manufacturer who received a baronetcy in 1800. Peel attended Harrow and Christ Church, Oxford.

Early Political Career

In 1809, Peel was elected to Parliament and gained his first experience in government as an assistant to the Secretary of War and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. In 1812, he was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, a position he held for six years. Peel successfully suppressed the activity of the Catholic Board, a central committee of the Catholic movement in Ireland, and proposed a law in 1814 to create the Irish Constabulary, later known as the Irish Royal Police. He also played a significant role in resolving the issue of famine in Ireland in 1817.

Opposition to Catholic Emancipation

Peel was a staunch supporter of the Protestant party in Parliament, which opposed the repeal of laws that restricted the rights of Catholics. He played a significant role in rejecting the Catholic Emancipation Bill in 1817 and was elected as a Member of Parliament for the University of Oxford the same year. Peel held various government positions and actively supported the government's policies in the House of Commons.

Reform and Leadership

In 1822, Peel became the Home Secretary and implemented criminal law reforms. He focused on improving the criminal justice system, including the introduction of municipal police in London in 1829. Peel's efforts to address the increase in crime were effective, and he was widely recognized as one of the most capable young politicians in the government.

Prime Minister

In 1834, Peel became the Prime Minister, and during his first term, he outlined the principles of conservatism in the Tamworth Manifesto. Although he was not successful in the 1835 elections, Peel led the Conservative Party to gain more seats in the House of Commons in the 1837 elections. In 1841, he won a majority in the House of Commons and formed his last government.

Achievements in Office

Peel's government implemented various reforms, including reducing the cost of living for the poorest sections of society and promoting industrial development through financial stabilization and tariff reductions. The Bank Charter Act of 1844 established the British banking and currency system, and Peel's budgets in 1842 and 1845 significantly reduced taxes and tariffs. The prosperity of the country undermined the Chartist movement, a working-class movement that had become militant in the late 1830s.

Later Years and Legacy

After facing a split within the Conservative Party, Peel resigned in 1846 and refrained from participating in party opposition. He provided advice and support to the Whig government led by Lord John Russell, which continued his free trade policies. Peel's legacy includes his contributions to criminal justice reform, his leadership in promoting conservative principles, and his economic policies that helped spur industrial development in Britain.