Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington 1828 30 Tory
英语故事2.98W
Born: 1 May 1769 in Dublin, IrelandFirst entered Parliament: 1 April 1806Age he became PM: 58 years, 266 days and 65 years, 200 daysMaiden speech: 22 April 1806 defending his brother's Indian administration against an attack by James Paull MPTotal time as PM: Two years, 320 daysDied: 14 September 1852 at Walmer Castle, Walmer, Kent
Facts and figures
Nicknames: "The Iron Duke", "Europe's Liberator" and "Saviour of the Nations"Education: Eton and Royal Academy of Equitation, Angers, FranceFamily: Wellington was the sixth of nine children. He was married to the Hon. Catherine Sarah Dorothea Pakenham, and had two sonsInterests: Inventing and buying gadgets, reading, buying art Government Art Collection PortraitBiography
Not just a soliderThe Duke of Wellington is today more famous as a soldier than as a politician. In fact, as the Prime Minister, he was known for his measures to repress reform, and his popularity sank a little during his time in office. But he did succeed in passing the Catholic Emancipation Bill - something which caused the downfall of many earlier prime ministers - and he remains one of the best-known figures of British history.Arthur Wellesley was born in Dublin to the Earl and Countess of Mornington. Fatherless at an early age, and neglected by his mother, he was a reserved, withdrawn child. He failed to shine at Eton, and instead attended private classes in Brussels, followed by a military school in Angers.Ironically, the young Wellesley had no desire for a military career. Instead he wished to pursue his love of music. Following his mother's wishes, however, he joined a Highland regiment.Wellesley fought at Flanders in 1794, and directed the campaign in India in 1796, where his elder brother was Governor General. Knighted for his efforts, he returned to England in 1805.The following year he was elected Member of Parliament for Rye, and within a year was appointed Chief Secretary of Ireland by the Duke of Portland. He continued with his military career despite his parliamentary duties, fighting campaigns in Portugal and France, and being made commander of the British Army in the Peninsular War.He was given the title Duke of Wellington in 1814, and went on to command his most celebrated campaigns in the Napoleonic Wars, with final victory at Waterloo in 1815.On returning to Britain, Wellington was feted as a hero, formally honoured, and presented with both an estate in Hampshire and a fortune of £400,000.After the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington became Commander in Chief of the army in occupied France until November 1818.He later returned to England and Parliament, and joined Lord Liverpool's government in 1819 as Master-General of the Ordnance. He undertook a number of diplomatic visits overseas, including a trip to Russia.Heading for ParliamentIn 1828, after twice being overlooked in favour of Canning and Goderich, Wellington was finally invited by King George IV to form his own government and set about forming his Cabinet.As prime minister, Wellington was very conservative, yet one of his first achievements was overseeing Catholic emancipation in 1829, the granting of almost full civil rights to Catholics in the United Kingdom.Feelings ran very high on the issue. Wellington persuaded the King only by his threat of resignation. Lord Winchilsea, an opponent of the bill, claimed that by granting freedoms to Catholics Wellington "treacherously plotted the destruction of the Protestant constitution".As a result, Wellington and Winchilsea fought a duel in Battersea Park in March 1829. The two deliberately missed each other in firing, and honour was satisfied.Wellington had a much less enlightened position on parliamentary reform. He defended rule by the elite and refused to expand the political franchise. His fear of mob rule was strengthened by the riots and sabotage that followed rising rural unemployment. His opposition to reform caused his popularity to plummet to such an extent that crowds gathered to throw missiles at his London home.The Government was defeated in the Commons, and Wellington resigned, to be replaced by Earl Grey. Wellington continued to fight reform in opposition, though he finally consented to the Great Reform Bill in 1832.Two years later he refused a second invitation to form a government, and instead joined Peel's ministry as Foreign Secretary. He later became Leader of the House of Lords, and upon Peel's resignation in 1846, retired from politics.Marshalling the troopsBut in 1848 he organised a military force to protect London against possible Chartist violence at the large meeting at Kennington Common.'The Iron Duke' died in September 1852 after a series of seizures. After lying in state in London, he was buried in St Paul's Cathedral, London.The Wellington arch still stands in London's hyde Park. He also gave his name to the humble Wellington boot.Quote unquote
After his first Cabinet meeting as PM: "An extraordinary affair. I gave them their orders and they wanted to stay and discuss them."
Did you know?
He was offered a cup of tea on his deathbed. His reply - 'Yes, if you please' - turned out to be his last words.Wife
Catherine Pakenham was full of 'gaiety and charm' as a young woman but later became 'over-emotional, melancholy and depressed' She was 34 when she married the Duke and bore him two sons. Described as being 'tender-hearted' she often gave away money to anyone with a hard-luck story. But she hero-worshipped Wellington until her death in 1831.-
关于大学英语故事阅读
民间故事作为一种广泛流传的口头性的、具有艺术虚构性的散文叙事作品而存在,把广大人民群众的实际生活当做内容题材。本站小编整理了关于大学英语故事,欢迎阅读!关于大学英语故事:RichManInvitesPoorStudentJodielikedherapartment.Shehadabeautifulviewtothesout...
-
适合儿童的英语故事大全
故事是孩子们特别喜欢的,他们的童年一直由故事陪伴着,故事教学同时也是小学英语教学的重要组成部分。小编精心收集了适合儿童的英语故事,供大家欣赏学习!适合儿童的英语故事:公主的水泡项链Thereoncewasaprincesswholivedinapalaceandhadallkindsofpearls,agates...
-
简单3年级英语故事阅读
随着社会的不断发展、进步,人们对教育的认识也越来越高。近些年来,英语作为一个必备的语言交流工具,被教育者重视起来。小编精心收集了简单3年级英语故事,供大家欣赏学习!简单3年级英语故事:Thetwopots两口锅Thereweretwopotsonthebankofariver.Onewasmadeofbras...
-
关于少儿英语故事演讲稿大全
英语故事教学不仅能有效地学习英语知识,亦能有效地培养学生的思维能力。本站小编整理了关于少儿英语故事演讲稿,欢迎阅读!关于少儿英语故事演讲稿篇一Inspring,themotherpigtookthelittlepigLuLutothefootofthemountain.Theyplantedsomewatermelon.春天的时候,猪...
相关文章
- 第138课:Would you ride bikes to work in the future?
- 第198课:Will you be taking care of your parents when they grow old?
- 第328课:Are you willing to work overtime for extra pay?
- 英语名人故事 William Pitt The Younger 1783 1801 and 1804 6 Tory
- 每日一句口语 第2509期:The world may be full of cheating, however we never lack friends w
- William Petty, Earl of Shelburne 1782 3 Whig
- 第238课:Would you like to live in a country where there is a lot of snow?
- 美语情景对话 第1210期:What type of famous person would you like to be? 想成为哪种名人
- 美语情景对话 第1317期:Would you rather work for a large or small company?
- OMG美语讲堂第851期:How Would You Like Your Steak Cooked!