Sir Robert Peel
Second Baronet
1788-1850
Robert Peels early years
• Sir Robert Peel, statesman and creator of the police
force, was the second of six Sir Robert Peels.
• He was born on the 5th of February 1788, third child
and first son, to Robert and Ellen Peel.
• Although he is often called Tamworth's favourite son
he was actually born in Bury, Lancashire.
• He came to Tamworth in 1798 when his father (one of
the richest men in Britain) purchased Drayton Manor.
• Robert Peel attended a local Tamworth primary
school between 1798 – 1800.
• Robert left Tamworth to finish his education, first at
Harrow school, going on to Oxford University.
Roberts Irish Connection
• After graduating from Oxford with double firsts in
Maths and Classics, Robert was eager to pursue a
career in politics.
• He became an MP for Cashel City, Co Tipperary,
when his father bought him the seat in 1809 – he
was just 21.
• He proved to be an excellent politician and soon
rose to a very powerful position as the under
secretary to Ireland.
Cashel Cathedral
A place in the Cabinet
• In 1812 Robert Peel became MP for Chippenham, in
Cambridgeshire. He represented many constituencies
during his political career.
• In 1822 Peel became a Cabinet minister in Lord
Liverpool’s Tory government. He was given the post of
Home Secretary. He also served in the Duke of
Wellingtons Government.
• Robert Peel became Prime Minister of Great Britain in
1834 for just four months. He became Prime Minister
again in 1841. He resigned in from government in 1847.
What Robert Peel did.
• In 1810 he formed the Royal Irish Constabulary which
proved a great success.
• In 1822 he reformed the gaols and reduced the amount
of offences that carried the death penalty.
• In 1829 he passed the Metropolitan Police act, the first
thousand uniformed police force began to patrol the
streets of London.
• In he 1846 repealed the Corn Laws (which kept food at
a high price) and encouraged free trade.
Robert Peel The Man
• Robert Peel, although determined and single minded, was said
to have been a very shy man.
• His shyness was often mistaken for coldness and unnerved
people.
• He was said to have some strange mannerisms like pointing
his toes and shaking his cuffs down. This was thought to have
been as a result of his shyness.
• Queen Victoria in who’s government he served, was supposed
to have been very fond of Robert Peel. In 1843 she visited him
at his home in Tamworth, Drayton Manor.
• Sir Robert Peel died on 2nd of July 1850, three days after being
thrown from his horse. His title passed to his son.
The end of the Sir Roberts.
• Sir Robert Peel the sixth Baronet was the last
one.
• He never lived at Drayton Manor but stayed
there sometimes with friends during his
university days.
• The sixth Baronet died in 1942, when the ship
he was serving on during World War II was
bombed. He was only 21 when he died and had
no children; so the title was never passed on.
Drayton Manor 2005.
Drayton Manor is now a famous tourist
attraction.
People come from all over the country to visit
the hugely popular theme park and zoo.
Nothing of the original Manor house remains,
but features of the original gardens can be
seen.
Drayton manor became one of the first theme
parks in Britain when it opened its gates in
1949.