William Wellesley-Pole, 3rd Earl of Mornington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Mornington GCH PC PC (Ire)
William Wellesley-Pole, later 1st Baron Maryborough, and later 3rd Earl of Mornington (Thomas Lawrence)
Chief Secretary for Ireland
In office 1809–1812
Monarch	George III
Prime Minister	Spencer Perceval
Preceded by	Robert Dundas
Succeeded by	Robert Peel
Postmaster General
In office 1834–1835
Monarch	William IV
Prime Minister	Sir Robert Peel, Bt
Preceded by	The Marquess Conyngham
Succeeded by	The Marquess Conyngham
Personal details
Born	William Wesley (1763-05-20)20 May 1763 Dangan Castle, County Meath
Died	22 February 1845(1845-02-22) (aged 81) Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London
Resting place	Grosvenor Chapel
Nationality	British
Political party	Tory
Spouse	Katherine Elizabeth Forbes
Children	4
Alma mater	None

William Wellesley-Pole, 3rd Earl of Mornington (born May 20, 1763 – died February 22, 1845) was an important Anglo-Irish politician. He was also the older brother of the famous Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.

William's last name changed a few times. He was born with the name Wesley. In 1781, he changed it to Wesley-Pole after inheriting some land. Later, in 1789, the spelling was updated to Wellesley-Pole, just like other members of his family had changed their name from Wesley to Wellesley. From 1821 to 1842, he was known as Lord Maryborough.

Who Was William Wellesley-Pole?

William Wesley was born at Dangan Castle in Ireland. He was the second son of Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington. His mother was Annie Hill.

William had several brothers. His older brother was Richard Wesley, who later became a Marquess. His younger brothers included Arthur, who became the Duke of Wellington, and Henry, who became Lord Cowley.

William's Early Life and Education

William went to Eton College, a famous school, from 1774 to 1776. After that, he joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman when he was about 14 years old.

He served in the Navy from 1777 to 1783. One of his most notable experiences was serving on HMS Lion, a new ship, during the Battle of Grenada in 1779.

The young William Wesley at 14 years old, painted in 1777.

How William Inherited the Pole Name

William's family faced money problems because of his father's debts. However, things got better when William Pole died in 1781. William Pole was William Wesley's godfather and the husband of his great-aunt.

William Pole had no children, so he left his land in Ballyfin, Ireland, to William Wesley. The condition was that William Wesley had to take on the surname "Pole." This is why William changed his name to Wesley-Pole.

William Pole (died 1781), who left his estates to William Wesley.

William's Political Career

William Wellesley-Pole was a member of the Tory political party. He served in the Irish Parliament for Trim from 1783 to 1790. He also served in the British House of Commons for East Looe (1790–1795) and Queen's County (1801–1821).

He held several important government jobs:

• Secretary of the Admiralty (1807–1809): This role involved managing the British Navy's affairs.
• Chief Secretary for Ireland (1809–1812): This was a very important position in the Irish government.
• Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer (1811–1812): This role was like being the finance minister for Ireland.
• Master of the Mint (1814–1823): He was in charge of making coins for the country.
• Postmaster General (1834–1835): He oversaw the postal service.

In 1821, he was given the title of Baron Maryborough. This meant he became a peer and could sit in the House of Lords. He also held the honorary position of Captain of Deal Castle from 1838.

Becoming the Earl of Mornington

In 1842, William's older brother, Richard Wellesley, passed away. Since Richard had no children, William inherited his brother's title and became the 3rd Earl of Mornington.

William's Family Life

In 1784, Lord Mornington married Katherine Elizabeth Forbes. She was the daughter of Admiral John Forbes. People said that out of all the 1st Earl's sons, William and Katherine had the happiest marriage.

They had four children: one son and three daughters:

• William Pole-Tylney-Long-Wellesley, 4th Earl of Mornington (1788–1857): He inherited his father's titles.
• Lady Mary Charlotte Anne Wellesley (1786–1845): She married Sir Charles Bagot and moved to Canada when he became Governor-General.
• Lady Emily Harriet (1792–1881): She married Lord FitzRoy Somerset, who later became Baron Raglan.
• Lady Priscilla Anne (1793–1879): She married John Fane, Lord Burghersh, who later became the Earl of Westmorland.

The Wellesley-Pole sisters, painted by Thomas Lawrence. From left to right: Lady Mary Charlotte Anne, Lady Emily Harriet, and Lady Priscilla Anne.

When Did William Wellesley-Pole Die?

William Wellesley-Pole passed away on February 22, 1845, at the age of 81.

Images for kids

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  William Wellesley-Pole, later 1st Baron Maryborough, and later 3rd Earl of Mornington (Thomas Lawrence)

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  The young William Wesley aged 14, painted in 1777 by Benjamin West

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  William Pole (died 1781), of Ballyfin, Ireland, who at his death bequeathed his estate to William Wesley

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  The Wellesley-Pole sisters, by Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830). From left to right: Lady Mary Charlotte Anne, Lady Emily Harriet and Lady Priscilla Anne