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Francis Chantrey, British, 1781-1841
Title: Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley (1760-1842), Governor-General of India, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Brother of 1st Duke of Wellington
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions:
40 cm
Credit Line: Presented, Mr A. Montgomery, 1889
Object Number: NGI.8151
DescriptionRichard Wellesley became Earl of Mornington on his father's death in 1781 and took his seat in the Irish House of Lords. He entered the English House of Commons in 1784 and gave his support to William Pitt, who in 1793 appointed him to the board of control for India. In 1797 he was created Baron Wellesley and sent as governor-general to India. He was created marquess in 1799. He was an able administrator, under whose rule British influence in India was greatly extended. Wellesley became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1821 and was a supporter of Catholic Emancipation. He resigned in 1828 when his brother Arthur, then an opponent of Catholic Emancipation, became Prime Minister, but he served again as Lord Lieutenant for a brief period between 1833 and 1834, once the issue of Catholic Emancipation had been settled. Francis Chantrey, who enjoyed a highly successful career, exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1804 and1842, and became a full member of the academy in 1818. In 1835 he was knighted by William IV.