Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry
A daring cavalry commander whose aggressive charges in the Peninsular War made him a key, if controversial, weapon in Wellington's arsenal.
1778–1854 (age 76)·Anglo-Irish soldier·Birthday: May 18
Biography
Charles William Vane, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, was a figure forged in the heat of Britain's wars against Napoleon. Born into Anglo-Irish aristocracy, his path was set for military service. He cut his teeth suppressing the Irish Rebellion of 1798, a brutal introduction to conflict. His true reputation, however, was built on the Iberian Peninsula. Serving first under Sir John Moore and then the Duke of Wellington, Vane led cavalry with a blend of audacity and impetuosity that could turn the tide of a skirmish or court disaster. He was a soldier's soldier, often in the thick of the fighting, and his bravery was never in question. After the wars, he transitioned to politics and diplomacy, serving as ambassador to Austria, but it is the image of the galloping cavalry officer, sabre drawn, that defines his legacy—a man of action in an age of grand upheaval.
#1 When Charles Was Born
The biggest hits of 1778
Charles's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1778Born
1783Started school
1791Became a teenager
1794Could drive
1796Could vote
1799Turned 21
1808Turned 30
1818Turned 40
1828Turned 50
1838Turned 60
1848Turned 70
1854Died at 76
Key Achievements
- Commanded cavalry with distinction under the Duke of Wellington during the pivotal Peninsular War.
- Served as British Ambassador to the Austrian Empire from 1823 to 1829.
- Held the title of Lord Stewart and later succeeded his half-brother as Marquess of Londonderry.
Did You Know?
He was the half-brother of Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, the influential British Foreign Secretary.
He married Lady Frances Vane-Tempest, a fabulously wealthy heiress, which vastly increased his fortune.
His portrait was painted by the society artist Sir Thomas Lawrence.
“I have seen the face of war, and it demands an iron resolve.”
