Arthur Wellesley

1769-1852. First Duke of Wellington.

Life

Arthur Wellesley (also nicknamed the ‘Iron Duke’) was born in May 1769 in Dublin as the fourth son to an Anglo-Irish aristocratic family. His parents were Garret Wesley, Earl of Mornington and Anne Wesley, Countess of Mornington. He later became Duke of Wellington.

He attended Eton from 1781 until 1784 and unlike his brother Richard, who loved Eton, Arthur Wellesley was not a remarkable student so that he had to receive extra schooling in Brussels. Arthur was the only one of his siblings who had a great fondness for art and music. Because his mother was aware that arts was not a profitable career for his son, she sent him to the French Royal Academy of Equitation at Angers in order to enter the military. Wellesley joined the army when he was 16 as aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and became Lieutenant of the 33rd Regiment at the age of 24.

Arthur Wellesley was married to Kitty Pakenham on 10 April 1806 after her family considered him worthy of being her husband and agreed to the marriage. As a national figure, Wellesley was more famous for being a soldier than being a politician. In general he was widely known for his conservative attitude and his refusal of reforms. Wellesley died on 14 September 1852 in Walmer Castle, Kent.

Military Career

The first military campaigns were in the early 90s of the 18th century. In 1794 his regiment had to join the regiment of the Duke of York in Flanders. After his return to England, one year later he became colonel and soon he had to go to India. He played major roles in the Battle of Seringapatam (1799) and the 2nd Anglo-Maratha War.

Wellington also led expeditions through Denmark and participated in an Anglo-Russian campaign in 1805. Further major battles and wars led by him were the Peninsular War, the defeat of the French at Rolica and Vimeiro and the Battle of Waterloo against Napoleon.

During his military career he had several positions such as local governor, brigadier general or commander of the British forces. Later in this career he became Commander in Chief of the Army and organised a force in order to protect London from a threatening mob.

Political Career

His political career started after he returned to England from the victory at Assaye in 1803. Back home he was given a knighthood and he soon became a member of parliament engaged with the Tory party. After accepting the post as commander in chief of the British Army in 1827 he became Prime Minister of the UK in 1828.

Wellington being “a rigid Tory” (source: http://www.britishempire.co.uk/biography/arthurwellesley.html. Prime Ministers of the UK and Great Britain. Website last viewed on 28 January 2014) had a strong sense auf political authority and was very conservative. The most important political action of Wellington as Prime Minister was the enactment of the Catholic Emancipation Act in 1829. It allowed Catholics to be almost full citizens, with three exceptions. This bill could only been passed because Wellington told the king he would resign when he would not give his Royal Assent.

Wellington stayed Prime Minister until 1834 and gave the office to Robert Peel. From that year on he was foreign minister for one year. He completely resigned from politics in 1846.

Sources

• "The Duke of Wellington: Forging the 'Iron Duke'." BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/wellington_duke_of.shtml.
• Luscombe, Stephen. "Sir Arthur Wellesley." British Empire, http://www.britishempire.co.uk/biography/arthurwellesley.htm.
• Severn, John. Architects of Empire. The Duke of Wellington and his Brothers. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2007.
• Stocqueler, J.H. The life of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington. London: Ingram, Cooke and Co., 1852.
• Veve, Thomas Dwight. The Duke of Wellington and the British Army of Occupation in France 1815 – 1818. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1992.