Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), 1st Duke of Wellington

The Duke of Wellington led the allied armies (including Britain, Austria and Russia) to victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After his defeat, Napoleon went into exile on the island of St Helena. He remained there untill his death in 1821. Arthur Wellesley was the 1st Duke of Wellington. He was known as the 'Iron Duke' and was seen as Britain's greatest soldier. He was 70 years old when this portrait was painted and is shown wearing the Star of the Garter.