Duke of Wellington
1769 – 1852 British Army commander, Prime Minister
The general who beat the French in Spain and finally defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, later a prime minister.
- Religion
- Church of England
- Affiliations
- British Army, Tory
Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, made his name commanding armies in India before leading the allied forces that drove the French out of Spain in the Peninsular War. In 1815 he and the Prussian army under Blucher defeated Napoleon decisively at Waterloo, ending the Napoleonic Wars. He entered politics as a Tory and served as prime minister, reluctantly conceding Catholic emancipation. He remained a towering national figure until his death.
Connections
- associate of Horatio Nelson — The land commander who finished the war Nelson helped win at sea.
- associate of Horatio Nelson — The naval hero of the same war, whom he met once.
- ally of Louis XVIII — The allied commander whose victory secured his throne.
- ally of Louis XVIII — The restored French king whose throne the allied victory secured.
- rival of Napoleon Bonaparte — Defeated by Wellington at Waterloo.
- rival of Napoleon Bonaparte — The emperor he defeated at Waterloo.
In the timeline
- 1808 – 1814 Peninsular War the allied commander in Spain
- 1813 Battle of Vitoria the victorious allied commander
- 1815 Battle of Waterloo the victorious allied commander
- 1815 Battle of Quatre Bras the allied commander