Arthur Wellesley, also known as the Duke of Wellington, was a British military leader and statesman who is best known for his role in defeating Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He was born in 1769 and rose to prominence during the Napoleonic Wars, earning a reputation as a skilled and strategic military commander. Wellesley also served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and was known for his conservative political views. He is considered one of the greatest military leaders in British history and his legacy continues to be celebrated in the United Kingdom and beyond.