Wellington: The Iron Duke

Arthur Wellesley, first duke of Wellington (1769-1852), was one of the greatest military commanders in history and is best known as the successful opponent of Napoleon Bonaparte, arguably the leading general of all time, at Waterloo. But Wellington was a success before and after Waterloo. With great strategic foresight and as master not only of the battlefield but also of organization and logistics, he helped expel the French from Spain and Portugal during the Peninsular War, which led to Napoleon's downfall in 1814. After Napoleon returned from exile in 1815, Wellington was a principal leader of the coalition forces at Waterloo. Wellington exerted a considerable influence on British politics, serving as prime minister and in later life as a trusted elder statesman. Upon his death, he was widely regarded as the greatest Briton of his generation and undisputedly one of the greatest British soldiers of all time.