Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington(English: Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington; May 1, 1769, Duncancastle - September 14, 1852, London) - British commander and statesman, field marshal (July 3, 1813), participant in the Napoleonic Wars, winner of Waterloo (1815). 25th (from 22 January 1828 to 22 November 1830) and 28th (from 17 November to 10 December 1834) Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Childhood and youth

Third son of Garrett Wellesley, Earl of Mornington, and Anne, eldest daughter of Arthur Hill-Trevor, Viscount Dungannon. He was most likely born in his parents' home in Dublin (Ireland), 24 Upper Merrion Street. His biographers usually, citing a newspaper publication of that time, claim that he was born on May 1, 1769 and was baptized on the same day. His mother, Anne Mornington, stated in 1815 that Arthur was born at 6 Merion Street, Dublin. There are other possible birthplaces.

Wellington spent his childhood in two family homes - in a large house in Dublin and in Dungan Castle, located 5 km north of Summerhill on the road to Trim, County Meath (province of Leinster). In 1781, Arthur's father dies and the eldest son, Richard, inherits the earldom.

Wellington went to the diocese school in Trim, then attended White's Academy in Dublin and finally moved to Brown's School in Chelsea, London. In 1781, Wellington was enrolled at Eton College, where he studied until 1784. At college he suffered from loneliness, hated college, and it is therefore unlikely that he could later say the words attributed to him: “The Battle of Waterloo was won on the fields of Eton.” In addition, Eton did not have playing fields at that time. In 1785, lack of achievement at Eton, coupled with family financial difficulties following the death of his father, forced the young Wellesley to move to Brussels with his mother. For the first twenty years of his life, Wellesley showed no ability. The lack of any goals and interests greatly upset the mother, who even said: “I don’t even know what to do with my incapable Arthur.”

A year later, Wellesley entered the Royal Equestrian Academy in Angers, France. Here he showed significant success, became a good rider and learned French, which was very useful to him in the future. On his return to England at the end of 1786, he amazed his mother with his achievements.

Start of service

His family needed money. Arthur promised to find a job, but never found a career. On his mother's advice, his brother Richard asked his friend the Duke of Rutland (then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland) to enlist Arthur in the army. Soon, on March 7, 1787, a newspaper message appeared that Arthur had been enlisted as an ensign in the 73rd Infantry Regiment. Also with the assistance of his brother, in October he was appointed aide-de-camp to the new Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Marquess of Buckingham. As an adjutant, Arthur began to earn 10 shillings a day, twice as much as an ensign. He was then transferred to the new 76th Regiment of Foot, which was forming up in Ireland, and was promoted to lieutenant on Christmas Day 1787. He stayed in Dublin and his duties were mainly public: attending balls, entertaining guests and providing advice to Buckingham. In Ireland he incurred gambling debts, but in his defense Wellington said: “Everyone knew that I often needed money, but I never plunged into hopeless debt.”

On 23 January 1788 he was transferred to the 41st Regiment of Foot, and on 25 June 1789 to the 12th Light Dragoons (Prince of Wales's), and also tried his hand at politics. Shortly before the general election of 1789, he went to the "rotten place" of Trim to oppose the granting of the title of "honorary citizen of the city of Dublin" to the parliamentary leader of the Irish Patriotic Party, Henry Grattan. Having achieved success, he nominated and was elected to the House of Commons of Ireland from Trim. In the parliament of that time, at least two-thirds of the deputies owed their election to the landowners of less than a hundred “rotten towns”. For the next two years, Wellesley continued to serve as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland while voting in support of the government in the Irish Parliament. On January 30, 1791, he became a captain and transferred to the 58th Infantry Regiment.

Arthur Wellesley Wellington

Wellington (Wellington) Arthur Wellesley (1.5.1769, Dublin, - 14.9.1852, Kent), English commander, state. activist and diplomat, field marshal (1813). Military He received his education in France, graduating from the military. school in Anjou. From 1787 in English service, ensign. In 1794-95 he took part in a campaign against the republic. France. In 1796-1805 he served in India, commanded English troops during the conquest of the principality of Mysore and the Maratha principalities. Upon returning to England he became a member. parliament (1806), in 1807-08 state. Irish Secretary. From 1808 to 1813, commander-in-chief of the allied forces operating on the Iberian Peninsula against the Napoleonic army. V.'s successes in Spain alternated with defeats, and only in 1812, after the best French. troops were recalled to participate in the Russian. campaign, he managed to enter Madrid. After the Bourbon restoration he was the English ambassador in Paris (1814). In 1815, at the Battle of Waterloo, he commanded the Anglo-Dutch allied army. After Waterloo, he led the allied occupation forces in France (1815 -1818). Participant of the Vienna 1814-15, Achaean 1818 and Verona 1822 congresses. In 1826 he signed an Anglo-Russian protocol in St. Petersburg that determined the positions of the parties in relation to Greece. From 1827 until the end of his life, he was commander-in-chief of the English army, at the same time in 1828-30 he served as prime minister, in 1834-1835. foreign affairs, in 1841 - 1846 min. without a briefcase. In matters of public policy, he was extremely reactionary; he was a zealous supporter of cane discipline in the army and strictly class-based selection of the officer corps. Burzh. Historiographers, portraying V. as the “victor of Napoleon”, the “Iron Duke”, exaggerate his military leadership merits, especially in the Battle of Waterloo, for which he was awarded the title of Field Marshal of the Russian Federation. army. “All his works are exemplary,” wrote about V. Engels, “but not a single one is masterful... He is great in his own way, namely, as great as one can be great without ceasing to be mediocrity” (Marx K., Engels F. Soch. Ed. 2nd. T. 27, pp. 213-214).

Materials from the Soviet Military Encyclopedia in 8 volumes, volume 2 were used.

Napoleon on Wellington:

Before Waterloo I thought Wellington had the gift of a commander. Experienced military men, knowledgeable in military affairs, were thrown into amazement when they noticed that he had taken possession of Mont Saint-Jean: after this stupid mistake, not a single Englishman would have escaped me. Wellington owes his success first of all to his own happiness, and then to the Prussians.

Wellington Arthur Colley Wellesley (1769-1852). Field Marshal of England since 1815, Field Marshal of Russia since 1818.

The third son of Lord Garrett Colley, Earl of Mornington, was brought up at the prestigious educational institution at Eton, and then at the Angers Military School in France. In 1787 he entered military service and in 1794 took part in the campaign against the Netherlands. In 1797, he was sent with his regiment to India, where he distinguished himself in the war with Tippo Sahib, which went down in history as the 4th Anglo-Mysore War, and especially during the assault on Seringapatam. On April 6, 1799, General Harris besieged the city where the 20,000-strong Tippo-Sahib garrison was located. On May 3, the British made a breach in the fortress wall, and 4 thousand soldiers led by General Byrd burst into the city. During the assault, 6 thousand Mysoreans died. This victory brought the British dominance in South India, and Wellington was appointed governor of the city. A year later, he successfully acted against the Marattas and forced them to conclude a peace beneficial to England.

From 1827 until his death, Wellington served as commander-in-chief of the English army, and from 1828 to 1830 he was the country's prime minister. Wellington's government consisted of right-wing Tories who were opposed to change. He himself stated that the existing political system in England is perfect. This led to the fact that in November 1830 Wellington, as a supporter of conservatism and an opponent of parliamentary reforms, was forced to resign. In 1834, in the office of Robert Peel, Wellington headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but resigned the following year. In September 1841, when Peel again became head of the government, he joined it, but no longer held any specific post. After the resignation of Peel's government in 1846, Wellington managed to retain his post as commander-in-chief of the troops.

According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the Duke of Wellington was distinguished by his intelligence, sense of duty, and especially his unyielding strength of character. He was married to Catherine Packenham, third daughter of Lord Longford, and had two sons. He died on September 14, 1852 and was buried with royal honors in the Cathedral of St. Pavel.

Book materials used: Soloviev B.I. Field Marshals of Russia. Rostov-on-Don, "Phoenix" 2000

Wellington Colley-Wellesley Arthur, Duke of Wellington and Marquess of Duro (3.5.1814), Baron Duro of Wellesley (4.9.1809), Viscount Wellington of Talavera (4.9.1809), Earl of Wellington (28.2.1812), Marquis of Wellington (10/3/1812), Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo and Grandee 1st Class (1812; Spain), Duke of Vittoria (1812; Portugal), Marquis of Torres Vedras (1812; Portugal), Marquis of Virmere (1809; Portugal) ), Prince of Waterloo (1815; Netherlands), field marshal (3.7.1813). From an ancient aristocratic family, known since the 16th century; 4th son of Gerret Wellesley 1st Earl of Mornington and 1st Viscount Wellesley of Dungannon and his wife Anne, sister of Viscount Dungannon. Graduated from Eton and French. military school in Angers. Began service on 7/3/1787 in the 73rd Highlanders. On 12/25/1787 he was promoted to lieutenant of the 76th Infantry Regiment. From January 23, 1788 he served in the 41st Infantry, from June 25 - in the 12th Light Dragoon Regiment. From Nov. 1787 to March 1793 was part of the headquarters of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Since Apr. 1790 to June 1795 Member of the Irish Parliament for Trim. On 4/30/1793 he was a major in the 33rd Infantry Regiment and on 9/30/1793 he received the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1794 he took part in a campaign in the Netherlands. In April 1796 transferred to India to the 33rd Infantry Regiment and on May 3, 1796 received the rank of colonel. His career was also helped by the fact that in 1797 his elder brother Richard was appointed Governor-General of India. In 1799 he took part in the war with Tippu Sahib, and after his defeat and the fall of Seringapatam (April 5, 1799), V. was appointed military governor of the state of Mysore captured by the British. On April 29, 1802, he was promoted to major general. In 1803, he resigned as governor and led a punitive expedition against the rebellious Mahratta tribe. He attracted the attention of the command, who saw V. as a talented commander. In 1805 he returned to Great Britain and on April 1, 1806 he was elected a member of the House of Commons. In March 1807, V. entered the cabinet of Lord Portland as Secretary of State for Irish Affairs, but in August. left his post to take part in an expedition to Denmark. On April 25, 1807, he was promoted to lieutenant general. In 1808, at the head of 10 thousand. detachment was sent to Portugal. 6/8/1808 landed with troops at the mouth of Modego (Portugal). Aug 8 Gen. joined him. B. Spencer, and the number of English troops reached 18 thousand people. After this, V. began moving towards Lisbon. Aug 17 at Rolitsa and August 21. at Vimeiro, he defeated the troops of General. A. Junot, however, still on August 20. he was replaced by gen. G. Burrard, but he did not take command at the height of the battle. From April 2, 1809, he was commander-in-chief of the united Anglo-Portuguese army (on July 6, 1809 he received the rank of Marshal of Portugal, and in August 1809, captain general of the Spanish army). On May 16, 1809, he defeated the corps of Marshal N. Soult near Oporto and invaded Spain, uniting his army with Spanish units. In the battle of Tal Avers on July 27-28, the French were defeated. army of King Joseph Bonaparte. Received on Sept. 1809 The title of Viscount Wellington, Wellesley (under this name he was previously known), in order to distinguish himself from his many brothers, began to be called by a new name. At this time, 70 thousand were sent to Spain. the corps of Marshal L. Massena, and V. immediately began a retreat to Portugal, leaving behind scorched earth. 27-28.9.1810 entered into battle with Massena at Busaco, and although the French attacks were repulsed, the next day, fearing an encirclement, he withdrew his troops to previously prepared positions on the Torres Vedras line (3 rows were built between Tagus and the coast redoubts, which included 1,689 fortifications with 383 guns). Massena attempted to take the impregnable fortifications by storm, but suffered a complete fiasco and retreated on November 13. After large parts of the French were recalled by Napoleon from Spain, V. launched an offensive. On January 19, 1812 he captured Ciudad Rodrigo, and on April 6. recaptured Badajoz from Soult. June 12, having approx. 60 thousand people, set out on a campaign against Madrid, and then, pursued by O. Marmont, retreated to Salamapka. On July 22, 1812, he defeated Marmont at Lrapiles and on August 12. solemnly entered Madrid abandoned by the French. After this, V. undertook an unsuccessful campaign against Burgos, as a result of which he again retreated to Portugal. When, after the disaster in Russia, Napoleon recalled additional troops from the Pyrenees, V.'s position immediately improved and he intensified military operations. Since January 1, 1813, honorary colonel of the Horse Guards. At the beginning of 1813, V. simultaneously became commander-in-chief of the Spanish army. In the battle of Vittoril on June 21, 1813, V. practically destroyed the French. King Joseph's troops took San Sebastian and organized the pursuit of the demoralized units of Marshal Soult, who was forced to retreat from Spain. On April 10, 1812, he attacked the positions of Soult’s army near Toulouse, but was unable to break through them, but Soult left the city, and V. April 11. entered Toulouse. On April 28, 1814, “for successful actions against the French in the War of 1814” he was awarded the Russian Order of St. George, 1st degree. In 1814-15 he was Ambassador Extraordinary to Paris, and from February. 1815 British Commissioner at the Congress of Vienna. Having received news of Napoleon's landing in France (March 1815), V. first declared that Louis XVIII would win an easy victory over the “usurper.” However, Louis fled Paris, and all of France was again under the rule of the emperor. Then V. was placed at the head of the English, Dutch, Hanoverian and Brunswick troops located in the Netherlands (79 thousand infantry, 14 thousand cavalry, 196 guns; the British made up no more than a third of his troops) and on April 4. arrived in Brussels. In addition, V. had approx. 17 thousand people in various garrisons. V.'s army consisted of the corps of Prince William Frederick of Orange, the 2nd corps of General. R. Hill, reserve near Brussels (approx. 25 thousand people) under the personal command of V. and cavalry general. G. Uxbridge. In May 1815 he received the rank of field marshal of the Dutch army. The key position of the English army was Cartre-Bras. Taking advantage of the mistakes of Marshal M. Ney, he brilliantly fought the battle of Cartre-Bras; the next day, taking advantage of Napoleon’s slowness, he withdrew his troops behind the ridge of Mont Saint-Jean in the area of ​​the village of Waterloo (20 km south of Brussels). On June 18, 1815, V.'s troops (about 70 thousand people, 159 guns) were attacked by Napoleon's main forces (72 thousand people, 2,423 guns). With heavy losses, V. managed to repel the fierce attacks of the French and hold them off until the moment when the main forces of the Prussian army of G. Blucher arrived in the 2nd half of the day. After this, the French the army was put to flight. Allied losses amounted to 23 thousand people. (Napoleon lost 32 thousand people and all the artillery). On July 5, V.'s troops entered Paris. When Blucher proposed shooting Napoleon, V. opposed this. For Waterloo he received 200 thousand pounds from Parliament. In November 1816, by international agreement, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the united allied occupation army in France. At the Lhen Congress of 1818, V.'s position greatly contributed to the lifting of the occupation and a favorable solution for France to the issue of indemnity. From 1818, member of the cabinet and general-feldtzeichmeister. In the government and the House of Peers he took extremely conservative positions and actively supported the actions of the Lord Mayor of London, who suppressed the protests of the workers. In 1822 he represented Great Britain at the Congress of Verona. On Dec. 1826 was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British Land Army and held this post until his death. Repeatedly served as a member of various cabinets. In Jan. 1828, after the fall of the cabinet of F. Goderich, a new cabinet was formed, in which convinced Tories predominated. He resolutely opposed parliamentary reform and in 1830, having suffered defeat in the elections, resigned. In 1834, when he was again asked to form a cabinet, V. pointedly refused, saying that according to the reform of 1832, the most important role began to be played by the House of Commons, and not by the House of Peers - so let it form the cabinet. In 1834-35 and 1841-46 he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and then Minister without Portfolio.

His brothers: Richard Colley Wellesley (20.6.1760 - 26.9.1842), 2nd Earl of Mornington in Ireland, 1st Marquess Wellesley of Norray in Ireland (2.12.1799). Educated at Oxford. In 1781, after the death of his father, he inherited the title of count. From 3/4/1784 member of the House of Commons from Devonshire. Since November 7, 1797, Governor of Madras with the rank of Governor General. In 1801 he became captain general and commander-in-chief of the troops in East India. On August 15, 1805 he was recalled to his homeland. He largely contributed to the appointment of his brother as commander of the troops in Portugal and Spain. On 02/18/1812 he was offered the post of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, but he refused, and his career in public service ended.

William Wellesley-Pole (20.5.1763, Dengan Castle - 22 2.1845, London), 3rd Earl of Mornington in Ireland, 1st Baron Maryborough in the United Kingdom (17.7.1821). Graduated from Eton. In 1783-90 member of the Irish Parliament from Trim. Since 1794 member of the House of Commons. Since Oct. 1809 Chief Secretary of Ireland, from Aug. 1812 Chief of the Secretariat for Irish Affairs.

Henry Wellesley (20 1/1773 - 27/04/1817), 1st Baron Cowley of Wellesley (21/1/1828), diplomat. Accompanied his brother Arthur to India, where he made a quick career)", was an administrator in the West India Company, deputy governor. In 1809, secretary of the embassy in Spain, on October 1, 1811 he received the rank of ambassador (in fact, at that time he was under his brother). Remained in Spain until March 1822. From 3.2.1822 to July 1831, ambassador in Vienna. From 13.3.1835, ambassador in Paris.

Book materials used: Zalessky K.A. Napoleonic Wars 1799-1815. Biographical Encyclopedic Dictionary, Moscow, 2003

Arthur Wellesley Wellington was born in the Irish city of Dublin into a noble but impoverished family. Son of Lord Garrett Colley, Earl of Mornington. He was brought up in aristocratic Eton, after which he chose a military career for himself. Graduated from the Angers Military School. He entered the royal military service in 1787, becoming an officer in an infantry regiment.

Wellington quickly advanced through the ranks - by the age of 25 he was already a lieutenant colonel and commander of the 33rd Infantry Regiment.

He received his baptism of fire in 1794, participating in military operations against the troops of Republican France in the Netherlands.

Arthur Wellesley Wellington served in India from 1796 to 1805.

Upon his return to England, Arthur Wellesley Wellington was solemnly knighted by the British crown, and in 1806 he was elected to the British Parliament. For the next two years he served as Secretary of State for Ireland.

From 1810 to 1813, Wellington commanded the Allied forces in the Iberian Peninsula against the Napoleonic army that had invaded Portugal from Spanish territory.

In the Iberian Peninsula, Wellington achieved several great victories. Among them are the defeat of the French Marshal Genu at Vimieira, the capture of the Portuguese city of Oporto in the north of this country, forcing the troops of one of the best Napoleonic marshals Soult to retreat, the capture of the fortress city of Badajoz and forcing the enemy to retreat to Madrid.

On June 21, 1813, the Battle of Vittoria took place. With 90 thousand soldiers and 90 guns under his command, Arthur Wellesley Wellington decisively attacked the positions of the French army of King Joseph Bonaparte in four columns.

The Battle of Vittoria proved decisive in the War of the Pyrenees.

For his victory at the Battle of Vittoria, General Arthur Wellesley Wellington was promoted to field marshal general.

Field Marshal Wellington returned to London in triumph. In commemoration of his services, he was granted the title of Duke and allocated 300 thousand pounds sterling to purchase the estate. In England he was nicknamed "The Winner of Europe."

Arthur Wellesley Wellington was destined to once again become famous in the war against Napoleonic France. But only this time he had to fight not with her marshals, but against the French emperor himself. Napoleonic's "hundred days" became for Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington the pinnacle of his military glory.

When Napoleon Bonaparte returned to France from the Island of Elba and captured Paris, Field Marshal Wellington was appointed commander-in-chief of the allied Anglo-Dutch army numbering 95 thousand people. It concentrated in Belgium, where another allied army was located - the 124,000-strong Prussian army under the command of Field Marshal Blucher.

The decisive battle of the opponents took place on June 18, 1815 at Waterloo in central Belgium. Wellington, together with the approaching Prussian army under the command of Gebgard Albrecht Blucher, completely defeated Napoleonic army. “The Winner of Europe” fulfilled the parting words of the Russian Emperor Alexander I: “You have to save the world.”

The battle initially did not go in favor of the allies.

In the Battle of Waterloo, the parties suffered heavy losses: the British and Dutch - 15 thousand people, the Prussians - 7 thousand, the French - 32 thousand people, including 7 thousand prisoners.

After the victory at Waterloo, the allied armies invaded already defeated France and reoccupied its capital Paris, from where the finally defeated Napoleon fled to the seaside city of Rochefort.

Victory at the Battle of Waterloo brought Arthur Wellesley Wellington new honors and awards. Thus, in 1815 he received the rank of Russian Field Marshal General, and for successful actions against the French in the War of 1814 he was awarded the highest military award of the Russian Empire - the Order of St. George, 1st degree.

The famous English commander was involved in various government affairs. The "Iron Duke" took part in the work of the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815, when European monarchs divided the huge Napoleonic empire among themselves. He represented Great Britain at the congresses of the Holy Alliance in 1813 in Aachen and in 1822 in Verona. He was sent to Russia to congratulate Emperor Nicholas I on his accession to the throne.

From 1827 until the end of his life, Wellington remained commander-in-chief of the royal army. At the same time, in 1828-1830, he served as Prime Minister of Great Britain. In 1834-1835 he served as acting foreign minister, and in 1841-1846 he was a member of the British government with the rank of minister without portfolio.

For Great Britain, Duke Arthur Wellesley Wellington became a national hero. When he died, he was buried with truly royal honors in St. Paul's Cathedral.

Site materials used http://100top.ru/encyclopedia/

Wellington Arthur Colley Wellesley, Duke of Wellington - 3rd son of Lord Garret Colley, Earl of Mornington. Genus. in 1769 in Duncancastle (Ireland); was brought up at Eton, and then at the Angers Military School, in France. In 1787 he entered military service, in 1794 he took part in the Dutch campaign, and in 1797 he went with his regiment to India, where he distinguished himself in the war with TippoSahib, especially during the storming of Seringapatam (1799). After the capture of this city, V. was appointed its governor, and a year after that he successfully acted against the Marattas and forced them to conclude a peace beneficial to England). In 1806, upon returning to Europe, V. was elected by the city of New Port (on the island of Vayte) as a deputy to the lower house; in 1807, V. took part in the campaign against Copenhagen, and in July 1808 he was sent to Portugal, took command of the British troops there, and, after several successful dealings with French troops, completely defeated Marshal Junot at Vimieira. Then he returned to England, but in April 1809 he again arrived in Portugal, where, having made a bold transition with the allied troops across the river. Duro (May 11), took the city of Oporto and forced Marshal Soult to retreat. 1810 was marked by the case of Buzaco, the defense of the Torres Vedras fortified position, the siege of Almeida and the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo, and V.'s actions were constantly successful. The Spanish Cortes made him Marquis of Torres Vedras, a Spanish grandee and Duke of Ciudad Rodrigue, and the Prince Regent elevated him to the rank of Count V. In 1812, V. took Badajoz, defeated Marshal Marmont at Salamanca and entered Madrid. After an unsuccessful attack on Burgos, V. retreated to Portugal; but when in 1813 part of the French. troops marched from Spain, he again occupied Madrid and on June 21 won a brilliant victory at Vittoria. For this battle, which liberated Spain from the French, V. was promoted to field marshal. In October 1813, V. entered France and won several victories over the march. Soult and occupied Toulouse, where he learned about the conclusion of peace in Paris. For his exploits, V. was generously rewarded by the English government: the Prince Regent granted him the title of Duke, and Parliament assigned 300 thousand pounds. for the purchase of an estate. Upon Napoleon's return from Elba Island, V. took command of the allied Anglo-Dutch army and, together with Blucher, won a decisive victory at Waterloo, after which he invaded France and occupied Paris. At the conclusion of the 2nd Peace of Paris, he was made the main commander of the allied forces in France and remained there until the end of the occupation. In 1818 and 1822 he took part in the congresses of Aachen and Verona; in 1826 he was sent to Russia to congratulate Emperor Nicholas on his accession to the throne; in 1828 he became first minister. His ministry had a decidedly Tory character, but, yielding to circumstances, took upon itself in 1829 the initiative for the emancipation of Catholics. The impression made by the French July Revolution and the accession to the English throne of William IV entailed, in November 1830, the fall of the Ministry of V. With his usual tenacity, he opposed parliamentary reform and thereby aroused such indignation among the people that he was subjected to public insult. After the dismissal of the Whig ministry in November 1834, V. took over the management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the office of Robert Peel; but already at the opening of the session of 1835, the ministry was forced to leave. When Peel, in September 1841, again formed the ministry, V. once again entered the cabinet, but did not take any specific portfolio in it. Much to the chagrin of the native Tories, he, under the influence of Peel, spoke out for the repeal of the Corn Laws. After the fall of Peel (1846), W. retained the position of commander-in-chief of the troops, along with the posts of Governor of the Tower, Lord Warden of the Five Harbors and Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Keeping aloof from parties, he acted as a mediator, and the queen herself sought his advice in difficult matters. V. was not a man of genius, but he had a remarkable mind, a keen sense of duty and, especially, unyielding firmness. His former unpopularity was forgotten, and he enjoyed the love and respect of the people when he died on September 14, 1852. His body was interred with royal honors in the Cathedral of St. Pavel.

Literature. Wed. published Gurwood, "Despatches of fieldmarschal the duke of W." (Lond., 1836 - 38); published by V.’s son, Arthur-Richard, “Supplementary despatches, correspondence and memoranda” (Lond., 1868 - 73); "Speeches in parliament" (Lond., 1854); also Bauer, "Leben und Feldzuge des Herzogs von W." (Quedlinburg. 1840); Pauli, "Arthur Herzog von W." (in "Der Neue Plutarch", vol. 6, Leipz., 1879); Brialmont, "Histoire du duc de Wellington" (1856 - 57).

F. Brockhaus, I.A. Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary.

Essays:

Dispatches of the Duke of Wellington. 1799-1815. Vol. 1-13. L., 1834-39;

Supplementary Dispatches of the Duke of Wellington. 1794-1818. Vol. 1 - 15. L., 1858-72.

Literature:

Engels to F. Marx in London. 11 Apr 1851 - Marx K., Engels F. Op. Ed. 2nd. T. 27, p. 213-214:

Dragomirov M.I. Napoleon and Wellington. Kyiv, 1907;

D a v 1 e s G. Wellington and his army. Oxford, 1954.

Read further:

Historical figures of England(biographical reference book).

Participants in the Napoleonic Wars(biographical reference book).

Literature on the Napoleonic Wars(bibliography)

Russia in the 19th century(chronological table).

France in the 19th century(chronological table).

Born into an old Irish family, he completed his studies at Eton College in England. His grades were poor and he was sent to a military college in France. By 1794 he became an officer and fought his first battle in Belgium. In 1796 he sailed to India, where he arrived before his brother Richard Wellesley, who was appointed governor-general. Together they wage war against the sultans who rebelled against English rule. On 23 September 1803, underestimating the enemy, he attacks an army of 50,000 Mahrattas at Assay with only 8,000 soldiers. He wins the battle, earning himself a huge reputation.

In 1805, he received permission to return to England due to health problems. War with France breaks out again. Wellington, who had meanwhile been elected as a deputy, is about to lead an expedition to Hanover when the British learn of the outcome of the Battle of Austerlitz. The operation has been cancelled. In 1807 he was sent to Copenhagen and easily defeated the Danish army.

In 1808, promoted to lieutenant general, Wellington received command of the English reserve corps sailing to Portugal. His instructions are rather vague: resist Junot and support the Spanish uprising. He decides to concentrate his forces in Vimiero. Junot, despite being outnumbered, attacks him at Torres Vedras. The Englishman is doing well in his first major battle. It also gives him the opportunity to appreciate the benefits of defensive tactics. Junot signs the Convention of Sintra with Delrymple, Wellington's chief, which stipulates the withdrawal of troops from Portugal. England is indignant. Wellington and his superiors are called to account, a commission of inquiry has been appointed. Wellington is found not guilty. But in Portugal the British suffer a series of defeats. This time the government appoints him commander-in-chief. In April 1809, Wellington landed with his men in Portugal. He first encounters Su's forces, which he defeats at Oporto on May 12. He then marches rather foolishly towards Madrid, but luck is on his side. The French marshals quarrel and, cut off from Napoleon, act ineffectively. At Talavera (June 1809), Wellington resists the French attacks of Victor, who did not wait for Jourdain. He then manages to escape from Su.

His exploits were rewarded: Wellington was promoted to generalissimo of the Spanish Army. In defiance of French attacks, he fortifies the Torres Vedras camp in Portugal. It would later be said that Wellington began to "destroy Portugal in order to preserve it." In September 1810 the offensive began. The attack flounders, but Massena manages to withdraw his troops without Wellington knowing anything about it. The latter pursues him and encounters Ney, the commander of the rearguard. Wellington pursues the army all the way to Spain and captures the Almeida fortress. Massena takes revenge and almost achieves victory.

In January 1812, once the elite of the French army in Spain had been sent to Russia, Wellington set out on a new campaign. In April, oblivious to the arrival of Su, he manages to capture Badajoz, a victory he had twice failed to achieve the previous year. Spreading false rumors about his plans, he goes to Salamanca and captures it.

Wellington then wins the Battle of Arapiles (22 July 1812), during which Marmont was wounded and defeated. August 12 Wellington - in Madrid, warmly welcomed by the people. Then he goes north. Su, having a larger army, cuts off his communications with Portugal. Wellington wisely retreats along the French army. Fog and luck allow this risky venture to succeed.

In May 1813, Wellington advances again. On June 21, he wins a crushing victory over the French army in Vitoria. This feat earns him the title of Marquis of Duro, Duke of Wellington, and probably contributes to Austria's decision to side with the Allies. The French are driven back beyond the Pyrenees. Wellington also crosses the border in November. He sets up a camp for several months, awaiting reinforcements, and fights Su, mostly successfully. In March 1814 he captured Bordeaux. Sous, pinned in Toulouse, leaves the city on April 11.

After this victory, Wellington was again showered with honors, titles and awards from numerous European kings. He then becomes one of the main architects of the second Bourbon restoration in Paris. He restrains the hot-tempered Blucher, who proposes to keep Napoleon in Malmaison.

The end of Wellington's military career is the beginning of his political career. He was elected Prime Minister by King George IV. It was he who passed the law on equal rights for Catholics in 1829. But his very conservative policies - Wellington is nicknamed the "Iron Duke" - make him very unpopular. In November 1830 he resigned.

In 1834 he returned to the government as Foreign Secretary under Peel, a position he held until 1835. Three years later, Wellington met his old enemy, General Soo, at the coronation of Queen Victoria. In 1841, Peel was again in government and Wellington was appointed minister without portfolio. He is again in favor with public opinion. A good friend of the Queen, he attends the unveiling of her equestrian statue. He was hailed as a hero during his lifetime.

22. ARTHUR WELLESLEY 1st DUKE OF WELLINGTON

British commander (1769–1852)

Even before his victory over Napoleon I (No. 2), the Duke of Wellington had won the right to be called one of the most outstanding commanders in history. He deserved this not because he was an innovator in the art of war or possessed any special techniques of warfare. Wellington's success was brought about by the art of maneuvers, the ability to use artillery and take advantage of the terrain. But only the victory over Napoleon at Waterloo brought him fame as one of the best commanders in England and throughout the world.

Wellington was born into a noble but impoverished Anglo-Irish family in Dublin on May 1, 1769 (there are different versions about the time and place of his birth, but this is the most reliable). During his time at Eton, Arthur Wellesley was little remarkable. And his relatives and teachers considered him slow-witted. He chose a military career, deciding that only it could give him the opportunity to advance. After graduating from the French military academy in Angers, he, according to the custom of that time, joined the 73rd infantry regiment.

Wellesley quickly moved up the ranks, receiving new, higher ranks not for any merit, but for money. By the age of twenty-five, he was a lieutenant colonel and commanded the 33rd Infantry Regiment. During the first decade of his service he did not see combat, but was mostly involved in public life. Only during the Dutch campaign of 1793–1795. It was his first time in a combat situation. After a series of battles that were poorly organized by his commanders, Wellington managed to acquire a reputation as a brave and intelligent warrior.

When British troops left the Netherlands in the autumn of 1794, Wellington commanded the rearguard and ensured the possibility of retreat.

Disappointed and outraged by the incompetence of his commanders, including the Duke of York, Wellington returned to England, trying to find a new profession. After this failed, he reluctantly returned to military service and sailed with his regiment to India. Now he decided to truly devote himself to military affairs, stopped drinking and gambling. During this time, his brother Richard became Governor-General of India and began promoting Arthur. Although Arthur received ranks under patronage, he showed himself to be a very capable commander in suppressing protests against the British. In 1799, Wellington defeated the Sultan of Misore at Seringapatam. Four years later, with an army of only seven thousand people and twenty-two cannons, he defeated a Mahratta army of forty thousand people with a hundred cannons.

In 1805, Arthur returned to England to be formally knighted. In 1807, during a brief conflict with Denmark, he was victorious at the main battle of Keoga on 29 August. The following year, Wellington, now a lieutenant general, sailed with seventeen thousand troops to Portugal to fight the invading French. Over the next seven years, he again confirmed his reputation as an outstanding commander, winning victories over Napoleonic troops in 1809 at Talavera de la Reina, in 1812 at Salamanca, in 1813 at Vitoria. After the victory at Toulouse in 1814, the remnants of the French troops were forced to leave Portugal and Spain.

In Portugal and Spain, Wellington did not use different types of tactics and strategies, skillfully moving from offensive to defensive and using scorched earth tactics. He was always mindful of the limitations of manpower and the need to avoid unnecessary casualties, and therefore always carefully planned his operations and moved forward carefully. He achieved victory through a skillful concentration of firepower, as well as through a larger number of well-trained warriors who understood their task well.

The future Duke of Wellington preferred not to attack the enemy, but to wait until he came closer. He tried to lure his enemies away, forcing them to chase him through already devastated areas where food and other supplies were difficult to find. He placed his fortifications in the most convenient places for defense in order to protect soldiers from gunfire and create maximum difficulties for attackers. In addition, he selected people who were ready to participate in sorties with the aim of either preventing an enemy attack or directing it to where the British defense was best organized. In the rear, Wellington created posts to guard roads that led to some reliable port, from where the British could receive supplies and new people.

When the enemy army finally appeared, exhausted and hungry, Wellesley himself commanded his well-trained soldiers and directed the defense. When the attackers began to retreat, the commander pursued the enemies, destroying those who remained alive.

Forty-five-year-old Wellesley returned to England from Spain in triumph and received many honors and benefits, including money, an estate and the title of First Duke of Wellington. Receiving the honorary title of “victor of Europe,” Wellington represented England at the Congress of Vienna, which met in early 1815 to divide the Napoleonic empire. But before the congress ended, news was received of Napoleon's escape from exile and his return to France to continue the war. When Wellington took command of the allied forces and began to prepare to leave, Tsar Alexander I told him: “You have to save the world.”

This is precisely the task that faced Wellington. Although his army was outnumbered, although he had received incorrect information about Napoleon's advance, the English commander, as usual, used the most advantageous position for defense, the only high ground in the battle area. On June 18, 1815, in central Belgium, at the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington, with the help of Prussian Field Marshal Blucher (No. 62), inflicted a crushing defeat on Napoleon. For both Wellington and Napoleon, this was the last battle: the French emperor went into exile on the island of St. Helena, and the English commander crowned himself with glory.

Returning to his homeland, Wellington, nicknamed the “Iron Duke,” devoted more than thirty years to public service in parliament and the cabinet, in 1828 he became prime minister, and in 1842 - commander-in-chief of the British army. He died on September 14, 1852 at Walmer Castle (Kent) and was buried with great honors in St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

In addition to the genius of a commander, Wellington was characterized by courage and composure in battle. Although he was not very liked by his own soldiers, whom he himself called "trash", he managed to earn their respect because they saw his dedication and desire to fight with the least possible losses, as well as his concern for good food, weapons, supplies for your people. Wellington avoided the luxury often associated with military leaders; His life was ascetic, and he spent a significant part of his time in the camp on horseback, riding around the troops and inspecting the area. A man of iron self-discipline, Wellington could mercilessly ridicule his subordinate, but he could also mourn the death of a simple soldier.

Wellington's actions helped bring peace to Europe and contributed to the establishment of British hegemony. Like Marlborough (No. 31), the Duke of Wellington remains one of the most beloved and respected English commanders. Although Napoleon occupies a higher place in our list, because he had a greater influence on the course of military history and history in general, in the last, decisive battle with him Wellington showed himself to be a great commander.

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