Major-General Lord Charles Wellesley (16 January 1808 – 9 October 1858) was an Anglo-Irish soldier, Conservative politician, and courtier from the aristocratic Wellesley family. He was the younger son of Prime Minister Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
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Early life and education
Lord Charles was born at the Chief Secretary's Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin, the second of two sons of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington and Catherine Pakenham Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington.
He was educated at Eton College, and matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford in 1824, aged 16. He was rusticated by the Dean of Christ Church, Samuel Smith, transferring in 1826 to Trinity College, Cambridge.
Career
Lord Charles entered the British Army in January 1824 at age 16. He accompanied his regiment, the 15th Regiment of Foot, to Canada during the Rebellions of 1837–1838. He returned in 1840 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He retired from the army in 1845.
He was appointed Chief Equerry and Clerk Marshal to Queen Victoria in 1841 and held the post until 1846.