Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of

1769-1852

British soldier and statesman, third son of Garrett Wellesley, 1st Earl of Mornington, born in Dublin, educated at Eton, and later at Pignerol's Military Academy at Angers. He entered as an ensign in the 73rd Highland Regiment in 1787, and then for a few years sat as a member of Parliament for Trim. He commenced his military command as the head of a brigade in Holland in 1794. His regiment was then ordered to India where, as a colonel in the war against Tipu Sahib, Wellington first gave sign of military genius. After being left in command of the troops at Mysore, he baffled Napoleon's Oriental plan of a descent on southern India from Egypt as a base, by invading Mysore and destroying or scattering the 40,000 followers of Dhoondyah Waugh before French forces could be sent there. In 1803 he was appointed chief political and military agent in the Deccan and the southern Maratha states, and on the fresh outbreak of trouble with the native chiefs, Sindiah and Holkar, he added to his reputation by the signal defeat of an overwhelming force as Assaye. He received the thanks of Parliament and was knighted for his services, but he resigned his command and appointment in the early part of 1805 and shortly afterwards sailed for England.

In 1806 he became MP for Rye, and a year later chief secretary for Ireland and a privy councillor, but with the threat of a French invasion he was soon in active service again. After a short campaign in Denmark, which ended in the complete humiliation of the Danes, he was sent to Spain. He landed at Corunna in July 1808, but was almost immediately involved in difficulties with incompetent rivals like Dalrymple and Burrard. In 1809 he returned to England and resigned, but was afterwards sent out in sole command, and from that point onwards began a series of splendid victories which culminated in the complete evacuation of Portugal and Spain by the French.

For long ill-supplied with men and materials, Wellington defeated a succession of French marshals and proved to Europe that Napoleon's military system was not invincible. Though not of a character to win deep affection, he gained the profound respect of his troops; he displayed the highest strategical and tactical qualities and a fine control of supply and organisation. In 1815, loaded with honours, Wellington was ambassador to the restored Bourbon court, and British representative at the congress of European powers at Vienna, when news came of Napoleon's escape from Elba. There followed his best-known campaign, that of Waterloo.

Returning to England, he was granted £200,000 for the purchase of the estate of Stratfield Saye in Hampshire. In 1818 he recommenced his political career, a staunch Tory, becoming prime minister in 1828. He carried through the Roman Catholic emancipation, but resigned in 1830, refusing to agree to electoral reform. He was foreign secretary under Peel (1834-35) and minister without portfolio (1841-46), supporting Peel's repeal of the Corn Laws. He died at Walmer Castle, and was buried in St Paul's Cathedral by the side of Nelson.

© JM Dent/Historybookshop.com

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