Sir Robert Peel provides an accessible and concise introduction to the life and career of one of the most political leaders of the nineteenth century. Perhaps best known for seeing through the Repeal of the Corn Laws, Peel had an enormous impact on political life of his age and beyond. Eric J. Evans reassesses Peel's career, arguing that although Peel's executive and administrative strengths were great, his arrogance, lack of empathy with the development of political parties and his inflexible commitment to economic liberalism presented political problems which he was incapable of solving.
This expanded and fully revised second edition:
- fully engages with the extensive new historical work on Sir Robert Peel published since the first edition appeared fifteen years ago
- includes a glossary of key terms plus an updated and expanded bibliography, including listing useful websites.
Sir Robert Peel is the perfect introduction for all students of nineteenth-century history.
Foreword Acknowledgements Chronology 1. Introduction 2. The Young Statesman, 1809-184 3. Peel, the Home Office and ‘Liberal Toryism’, 1819-30 4. The Collapse of the Old Tory party, 1827-32 5. A King’s Minister out of Office: Peel in the 1830s 6. Revival: Toryism into Conservatism, 1832-41 7. The General Election of 1841 8. Executive Government under Peel, 1841-6 9. Peel and Backbench Toryism, 1841-5 10. The Repeal of the Corn Laws and the Fall of Peel 11. Conclusion: Reputation and Evaluation, 1846-50 and Beyond Select Bibliography
Biography
Eric J. Evans is Emeritus Professor of History at Lancaster University. His many books include The Great Reform Act of 1832 (2nd Edition, 1994), William Pitt the Younger (1999), Thatcher and Thatcherism (2nd Edition, 2004) and The Forging of the Modern State: Early Industrial Britain, 1783--1870 (3rd Edition, 2001).
'It is a pity that this excellent revised edition of Professor Evans' book will not be bought by Scottish History teachers, except those who have a personal rather than a curricular interest in Sir Robert Peel ... Evans is very accessible and gives an excellent overview of Peel.' - History Teaching Review
