The Legacy
Napoleon's defeat on June 18, 1815 was a cause for celebration throughout Europe, but especially in England. Civic pride for Wellington's accomplishment permeated every strata of popular culture, from art to books to music.
Wellington himself was uncomfortable with much of Waterloo's legacy. In a letter to Sir John Sinclair in 1816 he wrote, "I am really disgusted with and ashamed of all I have seen of the battle. The number of writings upon it would lead the world to believe that the British Army had never fought a battle before." Despite his feelings, the cultural tributes continue to this day.
Books
Books and stories about Waterloo began to appear almost immediately after the battle. Here, a nonfiction account, an epic poem by Victor Hugo, and a romance novel demonstrate the wide range of material inspired by Waterloo.
Tourism
Both the battlefield at Waterloo and the island of St. Helena, site of Napoelon's exile, became popular tourist attractions. Thousands of people have visited the battlefield, which features memorials to the Allies erected in the 19th century. The creation of one memorial - an enormous, conical earthen mound - drastically changed the terrain of the field, much to Wellington’s disappointment. Museums across England mounted exhibits to the Battle of Waterloo throughout the 1800s.
Music
Popular songs about Napoleon, Wellington, and Waterloo flooded the British market, and Waterloo continued to be a popular musical topic for the next century. The sheet music for "Napoleon’s Last Charge," featuring a full-color death scene, was published in 1911.
Anniversaries
100th anniversary tributes to the Battle of Waterloo appeared in The Illustrated London News in 1915, as World War I raged in Europe. In honor of the 200th anniversary, more than 4,000 people are expected to convene in Belgium in June of 2015 to reenact the Battle of Waterloo. Other planned events include a tour of the battlefield and a restoration of the farmhouse at Hougoumont.