Constituency : Warwick ( and Leamington from 1885 ) 1865-95 ( from 1884 Speaker and defined himself as a Liberal Unionist from 1886 )
Arthur took one of the Warwick seats.
Arthur was the youngest son of Sir Robert Peel. He was educated at Eton and Oxford.
Arthur spoke in favour of the Russell Reform Bill in 1866. Gladstone made Arthur parliamentary secretary to the Poor Law Board in 1868. In 1873 he succeeded Glyn as Chief Whip but did not hold the post in opposition.
In 1880 Arthur was made under-secretary of state for home affairs but in 1884 succeeded Henry Brand as Speaker. In this role he was impartial and knowledgable although he strongly supported Charles Bradlaugh. In 1893 he had to break up a physical fight over the Home Rule Bill.
Arthur retired in 1895 and was created Viscount Peel. In 1896 he chaired a Royal Commission into the licensing laws which produced a report recommending a reduction in the number of pubs.
He died in 1912 aged 83.
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