Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey

Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey
Name	The Marquess of Anglesey
Caption	Portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence
Office	Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Term start	1828
Term end	1829
Predecessor	The Marquess Wellesley
Successor	The Duke of Northumberland
Term start2	1830
Term end2	1833
Predecessor2	The Duke of Northumberland
Successor2	The Marquess Wellesley
Birth date	17 May 1768
Birth place	London, England
Death date	29 April 1854 (aged 85)
Death place	Uxbridge House, London
Spouse	Lady Caroline Villiers, Charlotte Cadogan
Children	18, including Henry Paget, 2nd Marquess of Anglesey
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Serviceyears	1793–1854
Rank	Field Marshal
Commands	7th Light Dragoons
Battles	* French Revolutionary Wars ** Flanders Campaign * Napoleonic Wars ** Battle of Sahagún ** Battle of Benavente ** Battle of Waterloo
Awards	KG, GCB, GCH, PC

Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey was a prominent British aristocrat, military commander, and statesman of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is best remembered for his distinguished service as a cavalry leader during the Napoleonic Wars, most notably at the Battle of Waterloo, and for his two consequential terms as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. His long career spanned the tumultuous eras of the French Revolution, the Peninsular War, and the struggle for Catholic emancipation in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Early life and military beginnings

Born in London on 17 May 1768, Henry Paget was the eldest son of Henry Paget, 1st Earl of Uxbridge and his wife, Jane Champagné. He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, before embarking on a military career. In 1793, at the outset of the French Revolutionary Wars, he raised an infantry regiment, the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers), and served with it in the Flanders Campaign. His talents lay with the cavalry, however, and he soon transferred to command the 7th Light Dragoons, a regiment he would lead with great distinction. His early service was marked by rapid promotion and the beginning of a reputation for boldness and tactical skill.

Napoleonic Wars and Waterloo

Paget's military fame was cemented during the Peninsular War. Commanding the cavalry under Sir John Moore, he executed brilliant rearguard actions during the harrowing retreat to Corunna, notably at the Battle of Sahagún and the Battle of Benavente. His most famous moment came at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, where he commanded the Allied cavalry. During the climactic charges against Michel Ney's infantry squares, Paget was hit by a cannonball, resulting in the amputation of his right leg. According to legend, he remarked to the Duke of Wellington, "By God, sir, I've lost my leg!" to which Wellington reportedly replied, "By God, sir, so you have!"

Political career

Alongside his military service, Paget was active in politics as a member of the Whig party. He served as Member of Parliament for Carnarvon and later for Milborne Port, following the family interest. His political stance was generally reformist, and he was a supporter of Catholic emancipation. In 1812, he was elevated in the peerage, becoming the Earl of Uxbridge, a title previously held by his father. His political influence grew in the post-war years, leading to his most significant public office.

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland

Paget served two terms as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, first from 1828 to 1829 and again from 1830 to 1833. His first tenure was dominated by the final, successful push for Catholic emancipation, a policy he vigorously supported. His pro-emancipation stance made him popular with the Catholic population but controversial within the Protestant Ascendancy and the government of the Duke of Wellington. He was recalled in 1829 but returned to the post under the Prime Minister, Earl Grey. His second term focused on implementing reforms and maintaining order during a period of intense agrarian unrest.

Later life and legacy

In 1815, he was created Marquess of Anglesey in recognition of his service at Waterloo. He continued to serve in high military office, becoming a field marshal in 1846 and holding the prestigious post of Lord High Steward at the Coronation of Queen Victoria. He remained a respected elder statesman until his death at Uxbridge House in London on 29 April 1854. His legacy is that of a courageous soldier, a principled and effective viceroy in Dublin Castle, and a key figure in the political and military history of the Georgian era.

Family and titles

Paget's personal life was marked by scandal. In 1809, he eloped with Charlotte Wellesley, the wife of his brother's friend and the sister-in-law of the Duke of Wellington, causing a major society rift. He married her in 1810 after divorcing his first wife, Lady Caroline Villiers. He fathered eighteen children. His titles passed to his eldest son, Henry Paget. The family seat was at Plas Newydd on the island of Anglesey in Wales, and he also held the subsidiary titles of Earl of Uxbridge and Baron Paget.

Category:1768 births Category:1854 deaths Category:British Army personnel of the French Revolutionary Wars Category:British Army personnel of the Napoleonic Wars Category:Knights of the Garter Category:Marquesses in the Peerage of the United Kingdom Category:Lord-Lieutenants of Ireland