|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| biography |
classifications |
major works |
cross references |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
biography
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1788–1850)
|
| biography:
| British statesman and prime minister (1834–5, 1841–6), born near Bury, Greater Manchester, NW England, UK. He studied at Oxford, and became a Tory MP in 1809. He was made secretary for Ireland (1812–18), where he displayed a strong anti-Catholic spirit, and was fiercely attacked by O'Connell, earning the nickname ‘Orange Peel’. As home secretary (1822–7, 1828–30), he carried through the Catholic Emancipation Act and reorganized the London police force (who became known as Peelers or Bobbies). As prime minister, his second ministry concentrated upon economic reforms, including the introduction of income tax, but his decision to phase out agricultural protection by repealing the Corn Laws (1846) split his party and precipitated his resignation. He remained in parliament as leader of the Peelites (1846–50), until a riding accident caused his death. |
|
|
|
|
