The exhibition at the University of Southampton (UK) will open on Monday 13 April and run until 19 June, with a second two-week run 13-24 July 2015 during summer graduation.
The Battle of Waterloo, fought on Sunday 18 June 1815, between allied forces and the French forces commanded by Napoleon, brought to a close more than two decades of conflict. Drawing heavily on the Wellington Archive at the University, this exhibition captures the final act of these wars from the perspective of the Duke of Wellington. It considers the diplomatic background to the military campaign of 1815, the battle itself, its aftermath and the occupation of France and the commemoration of both Wellington and Waterloo. It includes descriptions of the battle in the official reports of Wellington's commanders, and a poignant letter from Wellington to Lord Aberdeen informing him of the death of his brother Sir Alexander Gordon, one of Wellington's aides-de-camp. Amongst the items relating to the commemoration of Waterloo and Wellington are the catalogue of the Waterloo Museum, an establishment opened in the immediate aftermath of the battle, exhibiting memorabilia, and a nautilus shell, engraved by C.H.Wood, dating from the 1850s, which contains an image of Wellington on one side and St George on the other.
The Special Collections Gallery (Level 4)
Hartley Library
University of Southampton
University Road,
Southhampton.
The Library is on the east side of the University Road, on the University's Highfield campus.
During exhibitions the Special Collections Gallery is open to the public Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.
Admission is free.
Visitors may be asked for proof of identity by Library Reception staff.
Langue(s) : English