Wellesley showed no early signs of greatness and was actually a bit of a late bloomer. When he was in his 20s, his mother despaired over his idleness and said, “I don’t know what I shall do with my awkward son Arthur”.

Arthur was born in 1769 and went to school at Eton, although he was an indifferent student and did not enjoy his time there at all. Later studies at the French Royal Academy of Equitation in Angers, France were more productive; Wellesley learned French and returned to London with improved riding skills and a new maturity.

In 1787 he joined the army and spent many years serving in India. There he advanced to the lofty rank of Major-General.

In 1804 he returned to London where he was made a Knight of Bath. This new title and status suitably impressed the family of his long-time sweetheart, Kitty Pakenham, and they finally agreed to let her marry Wellesley.

Wellesley had also amassed quite a fortune while in India, which certainly didn’t hurt his chances, either.

Unfortunately, the match did not prove to be successful, and neither Kitty nor Arthur was happy in the marriage so they spent most of their days apart.

Wellesley achieved much of his fame during the Napoleonic Wars, and the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 sealed both the fate of Napoleon and the fame of the Duke of Wellington. In 1827 he became the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, and in 1828 he became Prime Minister.

Wellesley would remain in government for much of the rest of his life, first as Prime Minister and later as foreign minister. He retired from political service in 1846, although he remained the Commander-in-Chief.

Sir Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, died in 1852 and was given a state funeral, a rare honour afforded to only a very few British subjects.

Apsley House (pictured) was the London residence of the Duke of Wellington.

Apsley House

Address: 149 Piccadilly, Belgravia, Hyde Park Corner, London W1J 7NT

Telephone: 020 7499 5676

Opening Times

1 April to 1 November: Wednesday to Sunday (& Bank Holidays) 11am-5pm | 2 November to 31 March: Wednesday to Sunday 11am-4pm | Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays), 24-26 December & 1 January.

Prices

House: £6.00 (Adults) £5.10 (Concessions) £3.00 (Children) | House and Wellington Arch: £7.40 (Adults) £6.30 (Concessions) £3.70 (Children).

Photo courtesy: TossMyPancake

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