Horatio Nelson

Date of Birth: September 29, 1758

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: October 21, 1805

Biography

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. He is best known for his inspirational leadership, superb grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics, which together resulted in a number of decisive British victories during the Napoleonic Wars. Nelson was noted for his ability to inspire and bring out the best in his men, and his legacy lives on as one of Britain’s greatest naval heroes. Born into a moderately prosperous Norfolk family, Nelson joined the navy at the age of 12. He rose rapidly through the ranks and served with several distinguished commanders of the period before obtaining his own command in 1778. He developed a reputation for bold action, and took risks that gave him an edge over the enemy. His most famous engagement, the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, saw the British fleet decisively defeat the combined fleets of France and Spain. Nelson was killed in the battle, but his leadership and tactical genius ensured British naval dominance for over a century.

5 Interesting Facts about Horatio Nelson

1. Nelson lost the sight in his right eye in 1794 during the Battle of Calvi, in Corsica.

2. He famously ignored a signal to retreat at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 by placing his telescope to his blind eye and claiming he couldn’t see the signal.

3. Nelson’s body was preserved in a barrel of brandy after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar to ensure it could be transported back to England for a proper burial.

4. He had a unique sense of fashion and was often seen wearing elaborate decorations and medals.

5. Nelson had a long-standing affair with Emma Hamilton, the wife of the British ambassador to Naples, which was widely known and became the subject of much gossip.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Horatio Nelson

1. “England expects that every man will do his duty.”

2. “I am a Norfolk man and Glory in being so.”

3. “Thank God I have done my duty.”

4. “A commander who fails to lay his ship alongside the enemy has not done his duty.”

5. “Desperate affairs require desperate measures.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the time of his death in 1805, Horatio Nelson’s net worth was not precisely documented, but his estate was valued at approximately £140,000, a substantial sum at the time, equivalent to nearly £10 million today.

Children

Horatio Nelson had one known illegitimate child, Horatia Nelson, born in 1801, with his mistress Emma Hamilton. Horatia Nelson later married the Rev. Philip Ward and had ten children, thus continuing Nelson’s lineage.