Wellington, Duke of

Arthur Wellesley (1769–1852), better known as The Duke of Wellington, rose to prominence as a general during the peninsular campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, and was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal after leading the allied forces to victory against the French at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813. At the age of 44, he was the youngest officer ever to earn this rank. In 1815, he commanded the allied armies, defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. He was prime minister twice, and continued as one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement. He remained Commander-in-Chief of the British Army until his death in 1852.