The Duke of Wellington with his friend Harriet Arbuthnot, 1834 Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Welling

The Duke of Wellington with his friend Harriet Arbuthnot, 1834

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, had a reputation as a ladies’ man. As a handsome military hero and dashing member of Britain’s highest society, he attracted plenty of female attention. Wellington was very much at ease with women and enjoyed their company, especially if they were good-looking and intelligent. Stuck in an unhappy marriage, he developed many close friendships with women and had numerous mistresses. For more about Wellington and the ladies, see “The Duke of Wellington and Women.”