Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson
British, 1758 - 1805
In 1771, the young Horatio joined HMS RAISONNABLE as a midshipman, a ship commanded by his uncle Captain Maurice Suckling. His early experiences included a spell in the merchant service; voyages to the Arctic and East Indies; and as senior officer on an expedition against Spanish possessions in Nicaragua.
While stationed in the West Indies after the end of the War of American Independence, he met Frances Herbert Nisbet, a widow with a son. They married in Nevis in 1787, and returned to Norfolk where Nelson spent five years on half pay. However, the marriage was not to prove a successful or long-lasting one. The couple separated after Nelson began an affair with the real love of his life, Lady Emma Hamilton.
Emma (c.1761-1815) was the daughter of a blacksmith from Cheshire. Her rise in society came after her marriage to the much older Sir William Hamilton, British envoy to Naples. Emma was a great success in Naples society, and became well known for her performance of classical poses or 'attitudes'.
Nelson first met the Hamiltons in Naples in 1793 and Emma's hero-worship after his great victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 laid the foundation for their famous love affair. Their relationship caused a scandal both in the Mediterranean and later in London, when Nelson returned to England in the company of the Hamiltons. Nelson and Emma's daughter, Horatia was born in 1801. Her birth was kept a secret because her parents' relationship remained outside marriage, although Nelson regarded Emma as his wife in the sight of God.
The main highlights of his naval career include - 1777 promoted to Lieutenant. 1779 promoted to Post-captain. 1794 campaign in Corsica where he lost the sight of his right eye after being struck in the face by flying stones and sand at Calvi. 1796 promoted to Commodore. 1797 had his right arm amputated after being hit above the elbow with grapeshot at Santa Cruz, Tenerife during an unsuccessful expedition to capture a Spanish treasure ship; he famously said 'Let me alone: I have yet my legs and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste and his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm, so the sooner it's off the better.' He was knighted soon after. 1798 after his recovery he commanded a squadron sent back into the Mediterranean against French forces gathering in Toulon. Following a gale, the French fleet escaped but was eventually located and destroyed at Aboukir Bay in Egypt - the Battle of the Nile. After the battle, Nelson returned to Naples where he became involved in supporting the Neapolitan King against the French and began a liaison with Lady Hamilton; receives the title Baron of the Nile. Nelson returned to service as second in command to Sir Hyde Parker in action against the Danes at Copenhagen.
From 1803, in command of the Mediterranean fleet with his flagship HMS VICTORY, Nelson blockaded the French fleet in Toulon. In 1805, the French evaded the blockade and were pursued by Nelson across the Atlantic and back to Cadiz where they joined the Spanish fleet. The combined fleet left port to be decisively defeated off Cape Trafalgar, an action in which Nelson was mortally wounded.
Nelson became the most popular British hero of his time. His victories were the brightest point in long years of war with France, and caught the public imagination. The government helped create a Nelson legend, portraying him as a model of duty and devotion to the country, and ignoring his failures.
He was buried in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral in London in January 1806. His coffin lay in state in the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital before a grand procession up the Thames. Huge crowds attended five days of ceremonies, showing the widespread affection in which the dead hero was held.
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