Sir Robert Peel

Peel, Sir Robert (1788–1850), English statesman. As home secretary in the 1820s Peel set up the British police force (thereafter called Bobbies) and sponsored the Catholic Emancipation Act (1829). Though he opposed the Reform Bill (1832), became more progressive, and after a brief term (1834–35) as prime minister, he organized the new Conservative Party out of the old Tory Party, aided by young politicians like Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone. His second term in office (1841–46) saw the introduction of an income tax, banking controls, and Irish land reforms, and the further removal of discriminatory laws against Roman Catholics. The repeal of the Corn Laws (1846) led to an era of free trade but caused a party split that led to his resignation.

See also: Conservative Party; United Kingdom.