Introduction
Here we have a portrait of Arthur Wellesley, the Iron Duke, the first Duke of Wellington, famous for ending the Napoleonic Wars by defeating the French at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The portrait was painted in the same year as the battle. Wellington appears smart and distinguished, wearing a Field Marshal’s uniform, adorned with the star of the Order of the Garter (the first order of English chivalry), the sash, and the badge of the Golden Fleece.
Born in 1769 in Ireland, Arthur Wellesley lived through the reigns of George III, George IV, and William IV, and into that of Queen Victoria. He died at the age of eighty-three and is celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest heroes. The Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson famously described him as “the last great Englishman”.
Reminders of Wellington abound: Beef Wellington, pubs named after him, the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, a mosaic to the Battle of Salamanca at Waterloo, Wellington College (founded by Queen Victoria), and the so-called Waterloo Churches built under the Church Building Act of 1818, such as St John’s Waterloo. Of course, there is also Apsley House at 149 Piccadilly, known as Number 1 London, the Duke’s home, which remains open to visitors.
So who was he, and why was he so important?
Early Life
Wellington began life as the Honourable Arthur Wellesley, the son of Anne, Countess of Mornington, and Garret Wesley, the first Earl of Mornington. He was the sixth of nine children. Born into a Protestant Anglo-Irish aristocratic family in largely Catholic Ireland, his father died when Arthur was just twelve years old.
That same year he entered Eton, where he proved to have little appetite for study and was often lonely. Nonetheless, he displayed some unusual talents, learning French and a musical instrument, and always presenting himself well. His mother, however, dismissed him as slow and foolish, and when family finances grew strained, she removed him from school.
Unsure of what to do with him, she decided on a military career. To many people’s surprise, Wellington thrived in the army. By 1796, he had risen to the rank of Colonel. Initially supported by his brother, he soon had to earn his way independently.
Military Career
Wellington was elected as a Member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons, but his true passion was the military. He studied military history extensively, was promoted to Major General, and in 1805 married his childhood sweetheart, Kitty Pakenham. In 1806 he became MP for Rye, and the following year Chief Secretary for Ireland.
The Napoleonic Wars, which had begun in 1803, defined his career. After Napoleon escaped from Elba in 1815, Wellington faced him at Waterloo, only 20 miles from Brussels. In a long and bloody battle, Wellington finally defeated Napoleon, securing his reputation as one of history’s greatest defensive commanders.
Known for his coolness under pressure and his determination to avoid unnecessary loss of life, Wellington forged what was described as a culture of unbending froideur in the face of adversity. His military legacy remains unmatched.
Political Career
By contrast, Wellington’s political career was far less successful. He served as Prime Minister from 1828 to 1830, and briefly again in 1834.
His aristocratic belief in the right to rule made him resistant to change. He did, however, support the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, also known as Catholic Emancipation, which allowed Catholics to sit in Parliament and hold public office. This was a highly significant reform, repealing the Act of Uniformity (1662), the penal codes, and the Test Acts of 1673 and 1678.
Yet, when it came to electoral reform, Wellington’s blind spot was glaring. He fiercely opposed the 1832 Great Reform Act, which expanded suffrage to a broader section of the male population. His opposition effectively ended his political career. So unpopular was his stance that mobs attacked his London residence, forcing him to install iron shutters – giving rise to the nickname “the Iron Duke”.
Personal Life
In his private life, Wellington was less successful. Though married to Kitty, he was known for his numerous affairs. His personal life was often strained, and he did not enjoy the same triumphs at home as he did on the battlefield.
Legacy
Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, was in many ways a man made for war rather than peace – not unlike Winston Churchill over a century later.
He remains the only Irish-born Prime Minister of Britain and the only one who was a distinguished military leader. His memory endures through monuments, institutions, and the lasting recognition of his victory at Waterloo.
Long live Wellington’s memory!
Wellington Around the World
Look out for the Duke of Wellington as he appears in many places, both in Britain and abroad. From statues and arches to towns and schools, his name and image are everywhere — including as far afield as Wellington, New Zealand!
Join Barbara Wright for a private tour and guided walk through Pimlico.
