Life Military and Civil of the Duke of Wellington, digested from the materials of W. H. Maxwell, and in part re-written, by An Old Soldier. With some account of his public funeral.

MAXWELL, W. H.

Published by London: Bell & Daldy, 1865

About this Item

First published in 1852, the year of Wellington's death, and based closely on Maxwell's Life of 1839-41, although omitting most quotations from primary sources. "Rewritings comprise an additional chapter on Wellington's civil life, as well as chapters on anecdotes about, and aphorisms of, the Duke, with full details of his funeral" (Partridge). This is a handsome copy. Maxwell (1792-1850), writer, historian, and clergyman, was born and educated in Newry; a misspent college life "stood him in good stead as novelist and bon viveur". He was long thought to have soldiered in the Peninsular War but "the inglorious reality was that he stepped into a minor career in the church after being disappointed of an inheritance from an aunt" (Dictionary of Irish Biography). He rubbed shoulders with Dickens and the Irish novelist Charles Lever and was a "vivacious and an entertaining conversationalist" (ODNB). Bankrupt by 1840 he slid into drink and died in poverty at the village of Inveresk, near Edinburgh. Two books, his valuable life of Wellington and Wild Sports of the West (1832) - an account of hunting, shooting, and fishing on the Mayo coast - are his lasting achievements. Partridge 369 (first edition). Octavo (179 x 118 mm). Engraved portrait frontispiece of Wellington by Peter Lightfoot after Sir Thomas Lawrence, vignette title page of Walmer Castle by Willmore after Campion, and 16 plates (10 battle scenes, 4 portraits, view of Stratfield Saye, map of India). Contemporary red calf by Bickers, decorative gilt spine, dark green label, sides with border of gilt paired fillets, corner rosettes, gilt edge roll, Nonpareil pattern marbled edges and endpapers. Neat presentation inscription on preliminary blank: "A. S. Mammatt from his affectionate friend E. E. Venables. Charterhouse. August, 1867". Spine toned, a few light abrasions to sides: very good.

Seller Inventory # 190083

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Life Military and Civil of the Duke of Wellington, digested from the materials of W. H. Maxwell, and in part re-written, by An Old Soldier. With some account of his public funeral.
• Publisher: London: Bell & Daldy, 1865