Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) is generally viewed as Britain's greatest military commander. He fought in some fifty encounters across India and Europe, with almost all battles ending in victory. He finally defeated Napoleon as commander of the Allied forces at Waterloo. He was twice British prime minister.
Charles Esdaile is the author of The Peninsular War and Napoleon's Wars (both published by Penguin) and is Professor of History at the University of Liverpool.