The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

DUKE OF WELLINGTON

Arthur Wellelsley (first Duke of Wellington) was an Irish-born English soldier and politician. He was born in 1769 at Dublin and died in 1852. He was a younger son of Garrett Wesley, the first earl of Mornington. Educated at Eton, military school and at Angers in 1787 he entered the 73rd Highlanders and in 1793 became a lieutenant-colonel in the 33rd Regiment of Foot. In 1814 he conducted the campaign against France, after which he was made Duke of Wellington and sent to France as ambassador. Hearing of Napoleon's escape from Elba, he took command of the British army and defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. From 1815 to 1818 he commanded the international army of occupation in France, making him very unpopular in France and a target for several assassination attempts. In 1818 he began his career as a Tory politician, and in 1828 became prime minister, resigning in 1830.
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