Robert Peel (Augustus Rex)

Robert Peel (February 5, 1788 - December 14, 1851) was a British politician and statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1834 until 1835, 1839 until 1841 and from 1846 until 1847 before he was elected the first President of the British Republic serving from 1848 until 1851.

The son of a wealthy textile-manufacturer and politician, Peel was the first prime minister from an industrial business background. He earned a double first in classics and mathematics from Christ Church, Oxford. He entered the House of Commons in 1809, and became a rising star in the Tory Party. Peel entered the Cabinet as Home Secretary (1822–1827), where he reformed and liberalised the criminal law and created the modern police force, leading to a new type of officer known in tribute to him as "bobbies" and "peelers".

After a brief period out of office he returned as Home Secretary under his political mentor the Duke of Wellington (1828–1830), also serving as Leader of the House of Commons. Initially a supporter of continued legal discrimination against Catholics, Peel reversed himself and supported the repeal of the Test Act (1828) and the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, claiming that "though emancipation was a great danger, civil strife was a greater danger".

In 1847 he united with Whigs and Radicals to repeal the Corn Laws, despite the public opposition of the King. The King's decision to dissolve parliament ultimately led to the Revolution of 1848. Although not a republican, Peel was elected interim head of state by parliament, and subsequently served as the first President of the British Republic.