British Army Field Marshal, Prime Minister, Duke of Wellington. During his lifetime his country was constantly at war with its European neighbors, and he saw active service from Europe to India. Upon returning home he was given command of a division in an expedition to force the Danes to give up their fleet. After success in this operation, Lieutenant General Wellesley was sent to the aid of the Portuguese who were being invaded by the French. He assumed the chief command of the Peninsula where he gained military distinction in the Peninsular Campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars. After his victories which helped send a defeated Napoleon into exile to the island of Elba in 1814, Wellesley was created "Duke of Wellington." Napoleon escaped from Elba in 1815 and regained control of France. While astride his famous horse Copenhagen, he vanquished Napoleon for good with a culminating victory at Waterloo. He sat in the House of Lords for the rest of his life, and served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1828 to 1830, and in 1834 His biggest tribute was rendered at the time of his death when he was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. He first lay in state at Walmer Castle after which he was brought to Chelsea Hospital in London where thousands of viewers were able to pay their respect for a complete week. The Horse Guards took possession of the remains transporting him through the streets of London witnessed by an estimated two million Londoners.
British Army Field Marshal, Prime Minister, Duke of Wellington. During his lifetime his country was constantly at war with its European neighbors, and he saw active service from Europe to India. Upon returning home he was given command of a division in an expedition to force the Danes to give up their fleet. After success in this operation, Lieutenant General Wellesley was sent to the aid of the Portuguese who were being invaded by the French. He assumed the chief command of the Peninsula where he gained military distinction in the Peninsular Campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars. After his victories which helped send a defeated Napoleon into exile to the island of Elba in 1814, Wellesley was created "Duke of Wellington." Napoleon escaped from Elba in 1815 and regained control of France. While astride his famous horse Copenhagen, he vanquished Napoleon for good with a culminating victory at Waterloo. He sat in the House of Lords for the rest of his life, and served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1828 to 1830, and in 1834 His biggest tribute was rendered at the time of his death when he was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. He first lay in state at Walmer Castle after which he was brought to Chelsea Hospital in London where thousands of viewers were able to pay their respect for a complete week. The Horse Guards took possession of the remains transporting him through the streets of London witnessed by an estimated two million Londoners.
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