Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850)

Biography

Peel was born into a wealthy textile calico manufacturing business run by his father. He inherited this but pursued a political career. Peel was Chief Secretary of Ireland under Lord Liverpool, 1812-1818; he was Home Secretary 1822-1830. In 1829 he founded the Metropolitan Police, creating a unified body under the control of the Home Secretary and paid for out of a general rate. The same year he introduced the bill for Roman Catholic Emancipation – a measure he had previously opposed - to the House of Commons.

Peel was Prime Minister on two occasions: 1834-35 and 1841-46. He fell from office in 1846 after successfully passing the bill for Repeal of the Corn Laws. Most of his party opposed the measure, forcing Peel to rely on the votes of Whigs and Radicals.

Peel died in 1850 after falling from his horse on Constitution Hill.

Context

The original reception of the statue was extremely positive as people saw Peel as a hero for taking steps into repealing the Corn Laws. However, more recently he has been seen as controversial due to his father (also Sir Robert Peel) being in favour of slavery. There has been some confusion as they both have the same name.

The Robert Peel represented on the statue did not have direct ties to slavery. However, Peel has been criticised for his efforts to obtain compensation for West Indian Planters when slavery was abolished in 1833. While the slave-owners were compensated by the state for loss of their ‘property’, the freed slaves received nothing.

Originally, Peel’s statue was unveiled in in City Square, outside of the Post Office on Park Row. It was moved outside the Town Hall in 1890, and was subsequently moved again in 1937 to its present position on Woodhouse Moor.

The statue

Date Erected:
1852

Artist:
William Behnes (1795 - 1864) one of England’s most prolific and successful portrait sculptors.

Commissioned / funded by:
Funded by the public; the Leeds Municipal Council appointed a committee to help with donations.

Format and materials:
Bronze. The first statue to be cast in one piece in Britain at this time. Presented on a pink, Scottish granite pedestal and stepped grey-granite base.

Location:
The north corner of Woodhouse Moor.

Description:
The statue of Peel is shown in contemporary dress. This was unique as before this statues of statesmen were usually wearing classical togas. The town council chose the contemporary look. The pedestal which he stands on has 'PEEL/ 1852' incised in the front. The statue is signed 'W BEHNES Sculpt.' Peel is stood up straight, with his left hand on his side and the right holding a paper roll. He is said to be addressing the House of Commons.

Sources

• ‘THE STATUE OF SIR ROBERT PEEL’. Leeds Mercury. Saturday Aug. 14, 1852. Issue: 6193.
• Chapman D, S. (2004). Peel, Sir Robert, first baronet. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Historic England. (2006). STATUE OF ROBERT PEEL TO NORTH CORNER OF WOODHOUSE MOOR.
• Leeds Library & Information Services. (2021). Peel Statue in front of Town Hall.
• Prest, J. (2009). Peel, Sir Robert, second baronet. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Stocker, M. (2004). Behnes, William. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

[Image by 'Chemical Engineer' via Wikimedia Commons]