Oxford University Parliamentary Elections

Oxford University was first granted two MPs in 1613. The vote was given to proctors and all living masters of arts of the university, wherever they lived. No canvassing was allowed within ten miles of the university; the candidates themselves were forbidden to approach within that distance. The two Tory candidates were almost always guaranteed success. Around 1,300 people voted in elections. Between 1817 and 1829 one of Cambridge's two MPs was Sir Robert Peel. However, Peel's support for Catholic Emancipation made him unpopular in Oxford and he was defeated by 146 votes in February 1829.