By what name was the first Duke of Wellington previously known?

The first Duke of Wellington was previously known as Sir Arthur Wellesley.

Born Arthur Wesley in Dublin in 1769, he came from an Anglo-Irish aristocratic family. The family changed its surname spelling from Wesley to Wellesley in 1798, so “Sir Arthur Wellesley” is the standard name used for him before he received his dukedom. He entered the British Army in 1787 and rose through service in Ireland, India and the Peninsular War.

Wellesley became prominent after defeating Tipu Sultan’s forces at Seringapatam in 1799 and winning the Battle of Assaye in 1803. During the Peninsular War, he commanded British-led forces against Napoleon’s armies and was elevated to the peerage as Viscount Wellington in 1809, later becoming Marquess Wellington.

After Napoleon’s first abdication in 1814, he was created Duke of Wellington. He is especially associated with the Allied victory over Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. Thus, “Arthur Wellesley” identifies the man, while “the Duke of Wellington” is his later title.