Wellington: A Journey Through My Family

Jane Wellesley

Formats & Editions

Reissued for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

The first Duke of Wellington's victory at Waterloo in 1815 is remembered as one of our nation's greatest triumphs and, two hundred years on, the 'Iron Duke' is still very much a public figure. But here, Jane Wellesley's family memoir paints an altogether more intimate and compelling portrait.

Jane journeys through the past, unearthing memories and secrets to illuminate her family tree. It is a saga peppered with fascinating characters: the 2nd Duke was a full-time eccentric and had his lawnmower pulled by an elephant; the 7th Duke, Jane's grandfather, worked for MI6; and Jane's grandmother's involvement with writer Vita Sackville-West created ripples in the Bloomsbury set as well as her marriage.

The Wellesley story shows how Wellington's descendants have lived on in the light of their ancestor's fame, and how a family is so much more than the history of one man.

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Praise for Wellington: A Journey Through My Family

  • Fascinating ... she paints an intimate portrait of Wellington and his colourful descendents. - Daily ExpressA sense of connection between the generations is palpable - Observer

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Jane Wellesley

Jane Wellesley

Jane Wellesley spent four years in the art world before starting her career in TV in 1975. She worked for the BBC and Granada before becoming an independent producer. This is her first book. She lives in London.

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