His father was a wealthy industrialist and one of early textile manufacturers who sat in the House of Commons representing Tamworth as a 'Church and King' Tory and a staunch supporter of William Pitt the Younger.

[2] Peel was educated at Rugby School and Christ Church, Oxford where he became close friends with the Lord Holland's son, Henry Edward Fox.

[1] Reportedly, Peel seems to have "flirted with homosexuality" at Oxford, but on 20 July 1822, just after coming of age, he married Lady Jane Lennox (c. 1800-1861),[4] the daughter of the late Duke of Richmond, his elder brother Robert's former chief in Ireland.

[1] Peel, who had been ill and was recovering at Tunbridge Wells, had exceeded his allowance for a London house by taking on the unnecessarily large 11 Connaught Place.

His marriage settlement was annulled with approximately £47,000 of Laurence's portion being invested to provide £2,000 a year, and giving him control of the remaining £13,000.