Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley , 1st Duke of Wellington , KG , GCB , GCH , PC , FRS ( 1 May 1769 â `` 14 September 1852 ) was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman . He is widely thought to be one of the best military and political people of the 19th century . Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley , 1st Duke of Wellington , KG , KP , GCB , GCH , PC , FRS ( c. 29 April\/1 May 1769 -- 14 September 1852 ) , was an Anglo-Irish soldier and statesman , and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century .