Duke of Wellington

Published: July 11, 2026 · Updated: July 11, 2026

1769–1852

The Duke of Wellington (1769–1852) was the British general who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815 and later served twice as prime minister. He was one of Britain's most celebrated soldiers.

Who they were

Arthur Wellesley made his name in India, then led allied forces through the Peninsular War against France in Spain and Portugal. In 1815, with the Prussians under Blücher, he defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, ending the Napoleonic Wars. Entering politics, he served as prime minister (1828–30) and oversaw Catholic Emancipation in 1829.

What they did

As a commander he was noted for defensive skill and careful logistics; as a Tory statesman he was a conservative force in an age of reform.

Legacy

Waterloo made Wellington a national hero, commemorated across Britain, and ‘the Iron Duke’ became a byword for steadfastness. His victory shaped a European peace that broadly held for decades.

Periods

Georgian Britain 1714–1837
Victorian Britain 1837–1901

Regions

Britain