Robert Peel: A Biography - Hardcover

Hurd, Douglas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0297848445 ISBN 13: 9780297848448

Publisher: Orion Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

Described as one of the 19th century’s most dynamic prime ministers, Robert Peel transformed Great Britain into a modern nation. He invented the police force; steered through legislation that allowed Catholics to sit in Parliament; reorganized the criminal justice system; and invented the Conservative Party as it exists today. Above all he tackled poverty by repealing the Corn Laws, and thanks to Peel Britain chose free trade and opened the door for globalization. For all his achievements, however, Peel was not all politics: he built two great houses, filled them with famous paintings, and was devoted to his beautiful wife. Yet he was widely regarded as stiff and strange, with Queen Victoria describing him as such a cold odd man” while Disraeli attacked him for dishonesty. But when in 1850 he was carried home after a fall from his horse, crowds primarily composed of working people gathered outside his house to read the medical bulletins. When he died a few days later, factories closed, flags flew at half mast, and thousands contributed small sums to memorials in his honor. Like Peel, Douglas Hurd served as Home Secretary and lived through a time of conflict in the Conservative Party. With one eye on the present, Douglas Hurd charts Peel's life and work through the dramas of 19th-century politics.

About this title

About the Author:

Douglas Hurd served as an MP from 1974 to 1997. He served under Margaret Thatcher as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and also held posts as Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary.

Review:

'As an established novelist it is not surprising that Hurd's book is any easy read.' -- Ronan O'Brien, SUNDAY TRIBUNE

'Douglas Hurd's fascinating, eminenty readable biography of Peel' -- THE ECONOMIST

'Hurd delivers a vivid and readable portrait of a semi-modern British titan. This biography is elegantly written, well researched and (usually) admirably sensible in its judgements.' -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, THE NEW STATESMAN

'Hurd writes well, and the book has the merit of bringing Peel alive as a human being.' -- Jane Ridley, THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

'Hurd's analysis of Conservative ultras up to the present day is illuminating..... It has certainly not surprised Hurd, who has made a useful contribution to our understanding of this midwife to modern and post-modern policing.' -- John Grieve, THE GUARDIAN

'Hurd's finely judged biography.' -- Blair Worden, THE SPECTATOR

'Hurd's portrait of Peel is sympathetic, pleasantly written and generally judicious in its judgements' -- Harry Reid, THE GLASGOW HERALD

'The author has a good grasp of the period, he has done a great deal of homework, and he has shaped the story magnificiently.' -- AN Wilson, THE DAILY MAIL

'intelligent rich reding with a lovely droll tone.' -- Duncan Fallowell, THE DAILY EXPRSS

'this warm, sensible biography of Peel does a fine job of rescuing an important figure from relative obscurity.' -- Dominic Sandbrook, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion Publishing
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0297848445
• ISBN 13: 9780297848448
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 440