Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

The Most Noble Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, PC, FRS (c. 1 May 1769–14 September 1852) was an Anglo-Irish soldier and statesman, widely considered one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century. Commissioned an Ensign in the British Army, he would rise to prominence in the Napoleonic Wars, eventually reaching the rank of Field Marshal.

Early life

Arthur Wesley (later changed to Wellesley when his elder brother changed his own name) is believed to have been born in either in Mornington House, his family's social season Dublin residence, or at his family's seat of Dangan Castle near Trim in County Meath, both in Ireland. He was the third son of Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington. His exact date of birth is a matter of some contention. All that exists is a church registry of the event marked a few days after it must have occurred. The most likely date is 1 May 1769, but any day for a few days before or after is possible. He was baptised Arthur Wesley, which was legally changed to Arthur Wellesley in March 1798.

Related Topics:
Mornington House - Social season - Dublin - Dangan Castle - Trim - County Meath - Ireland - Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington - 1 May - Baptised - March - 1798

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He came from an established family of noblemen – his father was the 1st Earl of Mornington, his eldest brother, who would inherit his father's Earldom, would be created Marquess Wellesley, and two of his other brothers would be raised to the peerage as Baron Maryborough and Baron Cowley.

Related Topics:
1st Earl of Mornington - Marquess Wellesley - Peerage - Baron Maryborough - Baron Cowley

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wellesley was educated at Eton from 1781 to 1785, but a lack of success there, combined with a shortage of family funds, led to a move to Brussels in Belgium to receive further education. In 1787, his father purchased Wellesley a commission as an Ensign in the 73rd Regiment of Foot; he attended the Military Academy of Angers in France, after having received earlier training in England. His first assignment was as aide-de-camp to two successive Lords Lieutenant of Ireland (1787–1793). He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1788; two years later, he was elected as an independent Member of Parliament for Trim in the Irish House of Commons (in 1790), a position he held until 1797. He rose rapidly in rank (largely through the purchase system, which at that time allowed, and, indeed, generally required, officers in the British Army to purchase their rank) becoming Lieutenant-Colonel in the 33rd Regiment of Foot in 1793. He participated in the unsuccessful campaign against the French in the Netherlands between 1794 and 1795, and was present at Boxtel.

Related Topics:
Eton - 1781 - 1785 - Brussels - Belgium - 1787 - Ensign - 73rd Regiment of Foot - Angers - France - Aide-de-camp - Lords Lieutenant of Ireland - 1793 - Lieutenant - 1788 - Member of Parliament - Trim - Irish House of Commons - 1790 - 1797 - Lieutenant-Colonel - 33rd Regiment of Foot - Netherlands - 1794 - 1795 - Boxtel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1796, after a promotion to Colonel, he accompanied his division to India. The next year, his elder brother, Richard Wellesley, 2nd Earl of Mornington, was appointed Governor-General of India, and when war broke out in 1799 against the Sultan of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, Arthur Wellesley commanded a division of his own. While serving in that capacity, he was appointed Governor of Seringapatam and Mysore, positions he held until 1805. He fought at Assaye, Argaum, and stormed the fortress at Gawilghur. Following the successful conclusion of that campaign, he was appointed to the supreme military and political command in the Deccan; while in that position he defeated the robber chieftain Dhundia Wagh (who had ironically escaped from prison in Seringapatam during the last battle of the Mysore war) and also the Marathas (in 1803). In 1804, he was created a Knight of the Bath, which would be the first of numerous honours throughout his life. When his brother's term as Governor-General of India ended in 1805, the brothers returned together to England, where they were forced to defend their imperialistic (and expensive) employment of the British forces in India.

Related Topics:
1796 - Colonel - India - Richard Wellesley, 2nd Earl of Mornington - Governor-General of India - 1799 - Mysore - Tipu Sultan - Seringapatam - 1805 - Assaye - Argaum - Gawilghur - Deccan - Mysore war - Marathas - 1803 - 1804 - Knight of the Bath - Honours

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wellesley was elected MP for Rye (in the British House of Commons) for six months in 1806; a year later, he was elected MP for Newport on the Isle of Wight, a constituency he would represent for two years. During this time, he was an established Tory, and in April 1807 (while representing St Michael), he was invested a Privy Counsellor. Additionally, he served as Chief Secretary for Ireland for some time. However, his political life would soon come to an abrupt end, and he would sail to Europe to participate in the Napoleonic Wars.

Related Topics:
Rye - British House of Commons - 1806 - Newport - Isle of Wight - Tory - April - 1807 - St Michael - Privy Counsellor - Chief Secretary for Ireland - Napoleonic Wars

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~