collection of the highest quality

[Berkley]

Originally Posted by John

What's the name of the first Duke of Wellington? Only Duke of W I know of is the one that defeated Napolean.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852). Sent to India with the rank of Colonel, 1796; trusted advisor to his eldest brother Lord Mornington, governor-general of India. Served with distinction in campaign against Tippoo Sahib; negotiated and bargained with the Mahratta chiefs; as Major General in Mahratta War was responsible for "the general direction and control of military and political affairs in the territories of the Nizam, the Peshwa and the Mahratta states and chiefs." After the defeat of the Mahrattas, returned to military service in Europe in 1805, culminating with the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. Commander-in-chief of British forces, 1827; Prime Minister 1828; retired from public life, 1846; buried under the dome of St. Paul's.
And obviously someone in a unique position to acquire an unprecedented collection