biography
| name: |
Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1769–1852)
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| biography:
| British general, statesman, and prime minister (1828–30), born in Dublin, Ireland, the brother of Richard Wellesley. He joined the army in 1787, was sent to India with his regiment, and there defeated Tippoo Sahib, became governor of Mysore, and broke the power of the Marathas. Knighted in 1804, he became an MP (1806), and Irish secretary (1807). He defeated the Danes during the Copenhagen expedition (1807), and in the Peninsular War drove the French out of Portugal and Spain, gaining victories at Talavera (1809), Salamanca (1812), and Toulouse (1814). For his role in this campaign he was given many honours, and created Duke of Wellington. After Napoleon's escape from Elba, he routed the French at Waterloo (1815). He supported Liverpool's government, and joined it as master-general of the Ordnance (1818). He also became constable of the Tower (1826) and army commander-in-chief (1827). His period as prime minister significantly weakened the Tory Party, which split over the question of Catholic emancipation, and was further weakened by disagreements over trade and reform. Wellington's opposition to parliamentary reform brought down his government, which was succeeded by the Whigs. He was foreign secretary under Peel (1834–5), and retired from public life in 1846. |
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