Arthur Wellesley Wellington t duke of (1s)

Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, 1st duke of (1769–1852), British general and politician, “the Iron Duke,” who defeated Napoleon I at the Battle of Waterloo. After distinguished military service in India (1796–1805), he drove the French from Spain and Portugal in the Peninsular War and entered France in 1813. After being created duke, he led the victorious forces at Waterloo (1815). Serving the Tory government (1819–27), he became prime minister (1828–30), and passed the Catholic Emancipation Act; however, he opposed parliamentary reform. In 1842 he became commander-in-chief for life.

See also: Napoleonic Wars.