Robert Peel Biography and Timeline

Birth of Robert Peel

Birth of Robert Peel

Role range: 1763-1809

Factory Regulation

Peel sponsors legislation regulating conditions for apprentices working in textile mills.

First Factory Health Law Passed

Sir Robert Peel promoted the Health and Morals of Apprentices Act, an early attempt to regulate conditions for factory apprentices.

Peel Sponsors Apprentice Protection Law

Sir Robert Peel the elder supported the Health and Morals of Apprentices Act to regulate conditions for parish apprentices in mills.

Factory Apprentices Gain Education Provision

The 1802 legislation sponsored by Robert Peel required instruction for apprentices employed in textile factories.

Apprentice Night Work Faces Restriction

Robert Peel's factory law restricted the employment of apprentices at night in mills covered by the legislation.

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament

Role range: 1763-1809

Under Secretary

Appointed Under Secretary for War

Role range: 1810-1812

Secretary for Ireland

Appointed Secretary for Ireland

Role range: 1812-1827 – 1812-1818

Under Secretary

Appointed Under Secretary for Ireland

Role range: 1812-1827 – 1812-1818

Cash Payments Act

Peel sponsors legislation directing a phased resumption of Bank of England gold payments.

Resumption of Cash Payments

Peel sponsors legislation directing the Bank of England to resume gold convertibility.

Role range: 1809-1830

Resumption of Cash Payments Act

Peel leads legislation requiring the Bank of England to resume gold payments in stages, creating the statutory route back from wartime paper money to convertibility.

Cotton Mills Restrict Child Labour

Legislation associated with Sir Robert Peel prohibited the employment of very young children in cotton mills and limited older children's hours.

Cotton Mills Act Restricts Child Employment

Legislation championed by Robert Peel prohibited the employment of children below nine in cotton mills.

Young Cotton Workers Receive Hours Limit

The 1819 Cotton Mills Act limited the work of children aged nine to sixteen in covered mills to twelve hours a day.

Home Secretary of Great Britain

Appointed Home Secretary

Role range: 1812-1827 – 1822-1827

Resignation of Robert Peel

Resigns from the Government because he could not serve under a pro-Catholic, canning

Role range: 1812-1827 – 1822-1827

Reform of Policing

Legislates for the foundation of the Metropolitan Police Force

Role range: 1828-1830 – 1828-1830

Police

The first "Peelers" go on the beat

Role range: 1828-1830 – 1828-1830

Catholic Emancipation Parliamentary Case

Peel defended Catholic emancipation in Parliament, and the debate record preserves the divisions within British political opinion about religious equality.

Resignation as Home Secretary

Leaves the Home Office when Wellington's Tory government is replaced.

Role range: 1828-1830

Swing Riots Response

Uses magistrates, troops and prosecutions as agricultural disturbances spread.

Role range: 1828-1830

Election

The Conservatives win 273 seats, the Whigs & others 380 seats

Role range: 1834-1835 – 1834-1835

Prime Minister of Great Britain

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain

Role range: 1834-1835 – 1834-1835

Manifesto

Outlines the principles of Liberal conservatism

Role range: 1834-1835

Poor Law Amendment Controversy

Debates about the Poor Law Amendment Act reveal sharp disagreements about relief, workhouses and responsibility for poverty.

Prime Minister of Great Britain

The Whigs, radicals & Irish agree to joint opposition

Role range: 1834-1835 – 1834-1835

Resignation of Robert Peel

Stanley & Graham do not join the Government. Resigns after a 33 vote defeat on Irish Church revenue

Role range: 1834-1835 – 1834-1835

Reform of Local Government

Establishes elected local Councils

Role range: 1834-1835 – 1834-1835

Convention

Hong Kong is ceded to Britain at the Convention of Chuanbi

Role range: 1841-1846 – 1841-1846

Rule of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is ceded to Britain at the Convention of Chuanbi

Role range: 1841-1846 – 1841-1846

Election

The Conservatives win their highest gains in the English Counties. The Conservatives win a majority for the 1st time, winning by 80 seats

Role range: 1841-1846 – 1841-1846

Free Trade

Stanley resigns over Peels Free Trade Policy, Peels only casualty. Campaigns on the issue of Free Trade to become Prime Minister. Believes without free trade there could be civil disorder

Role range: 1841-1846 – 1841-1846

Prime Minister of Great Britain

Appointed Prime MInister of Great Britain

Role range: 1841-1846 – 1841-1846

Resignation of Edward Stanley

Stanley resigns over Peels Free Trade Policy, Peels only casualty

Role range: 1841-1846 – 1841-1846

Reform of Government

Controls the circulation of paper money

Role range: 1841-1846 – 1841-1846

Reform of Workplace Conditions

Prohibits the employment of women & children under ten underground

Role range: 1841-1846 – 1841-1846

Rule of Hong Kong

Under the Treaty of Nanking Hong Kong is ceded to Britain

Role range: 1839-1842 – 1841-1846

Treaty of Nanking

Under the Treaty of Nanking Hong Kong is ceded to Britain

Role range: 1839-1842 – 1841-1846