Overview
Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley
(1760—1842) governor-general of Bengal
Quick Reference
(1760–1842).
Eldest brother of the duke of Wellington, Wellesley entered Parliament in 1784 as MP for Beeralston. In 1793 he became a member of the India Board and from 1797 to 1805 acted as governor‐general of Bengal. British rule was threatened by the French in alliance with Tipu Sahib of Mysore and the nizam of Hyderabad. Wellesley retorted by taking control of Mysore, the Carnatic, Hyderabad, and Oudh, bringing native princes under British influence. He served as foreign secretary in Perceval's cabinet. Wellesley championed the rights of catholics in Ireland and in 1821–8 and 1833–4 acted as lord‐lieutenant of Ireland. In 1835 he became lord chamberlain.
Subjects: History — Regional and National History
