Encyclopedias: Spartacus Educational: Reform of Parliament: Sir Robert Peel

Description: Anstract: Born in Bury, Lancashire, on 5th February, 1788. Educated at Harrow School and Christ Church, Oxford, he won a double first in classics and mathematics. Robert Peel entered the House of Commons in April 1809, at the age of twenty-one. In 1822, after a brief interlude, rejoined Lord Liverpool's government when he accepted the post of Home Secretary. Over the next five years Peel was responsible for large-scale reform in the legal system including the repeal of over 250 old statutes. For a long time politicians had been concerned about the problems of law and order in London. In 1829 Peel decided to reorganize the way London was policed. As a result of this reform, the new metropolitan police force became known as "Peelers" or "Bobbies". He was badly hurt in a riding accident and on 2nd July, 1850, he died from his injuries.