Frederick Peel

Sir Frederick Peel was born on 26 October 1823 and died on 6 June 1906. He was a member of the British Liberal Party and served as a railway commissioner during his career.

Family and Education:

He was the second son of Sir Robert Peel, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Julia Peel, daughter of General Sir John Floyd, 1st Baronet. His siblings included Sir Robert Peel, 3rd Baronet; Sir William Peel; and Arthur Peel, 1st Viscount Peel. Peel received education at Harrow School and subsequently attended Trinity College, Cambridge. During his time at Cambridge, he was a member of the Pitt Club. He qualified as a barrister in 1849.

Political Career:

Peel entered the House of Commons in February 1849 after being elected unopposed in a by-election as the Member of Parliament for Leominster. He represented Leominster until 1852 when he was elected as MP for Bury. He served as the MP for Bury until 1857 when he was defeated, but he regained the Bury seat in 1859 and held it until another electoral defeat in 1865.

During his parliamentary career, Peel held several governmental positions. He served as Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies during two periods: under Lord John Russell from 1851 to 1852 and under Lord Aberdeen from 1852 to 1854. He continued as Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies under Aberdeen from 1854 to 1855 and as Under-Secretary of State for War under Lord Palmerston from 1855 to 1857, during which time he was sworn into the Privy Council. From 1860 to 1865, Peel served as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under both Palmerston and Russell.

Railway and Canal Commission:

Peel's notable contribution to public service was his involvement with the Railway and Canal Commission. He was appointed as a commissioner at its inception in 1873 and served as its president until its reorganization in 1888. He remained a member of the commission until his death in 1906.

Honours:

In 1869, Peel was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Death:

Sir Frederick Peel died in June 1906 at the age of 82.

Legacy:

A restaurant bearing his family name, Peel's Restaurant, is associated with his heritage.