148 Facts About Horatio Nelson

Horatio Nelson is widely regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history.

Horatio Nelson rose rapidly through the ranks and served with leading naval commanders of the period before obtaining his own command at the age of 20, in 1778.

Horatio Nelson developed a reputation for personal valour and firm grasp of tactics, but suffered periods of illness and unemployment after the end of the American War of Independence.

Horatio Nelson fought in several minor engagements off Toulon and was important in the capture of Corsica, where he was wounded and partially lost sight in one eye, and subsequent diplomatic duties with the Italian states.

Shortly after that battle, Horatio Nelson took part in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where the attack failed and he lost his right arm, forcing him to return to England to recuperate.

Related searches

In 1801, Horatio Nelson was dispatched to the Baltic Sea and defeated neutral Denmark at the Battle of Copenhagen.

Horatio Nelson commanded the blockade of the French and Spanish fleets at Toulon and, after their escape, chased them to the West Indies and back but failed to bring them to battle.

Horatio Nelson's body was brought back to England, where he was accorded a state funeral.

Horatio Nelson was named "Horatio" after his godfather Horatio Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, the first cousin of his maternal great-grandmother Anne Turner.

Horatio Nelson Walpole was a nephew of Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, the de facto first prime minister of Great Britain.

Horatio Nelson's uncle Maurice Suckling was a high-ranking naval officer, and is believed to have had a major impact on Horatio Nelson's life.

Shortly after reporting aboard, Horatio Nelson was appointed a midshipman, and began officer training.

Early in his service, Horatio Nelson discovered that he experienced seasickness, a chronic complaint that he experienced for the rest of his life.

Horatio Nelson twice crossed the Atlantic, before returning to serve under his uncle as the commander of Suckling's longboat, which carried men and dispatches, to and from shore.

Horatio Nelson then learned of a planned expedition, under the command of Constantine Phipps, intended to survey a passage in the Arctic by which it was hoped that India could be reached: the fabled North-East Passage.

Horatio Nelson spent the rest of the year escorting convoys, during which he continued to develop his navigation and ship handling skills.

Horatio Nelson asked for, and was given, command of her, and took her on two cruises of his own.

Locker, impressed by Horatio Nelson's abilities, recommended him to the new commander-in-chief at Jamaica, Sir Peter Parker.

Horatio Nelson remained in the West Indies in order to take part in Major-General John Dalling's attempt to capture the Spanish colonies in Central America, including an assault on the Fortress of the Immaculate Conception, called Castillo Viejo, on the San Juan River in Nicaragua.

In 1780, Horatio Nelson fell seriously ill with what seemed to be dysentery and possibly yellow fever, in the jungles of Costa Rica, and was unable to take command.

Horatio Nelson was taken to Kingston, Jamaica, to be nursed by "doctoress" Cubah Cornwallis, a rumored mistress of fellow captain William Cornwallis; she ran a combination lodging-house and convalescence home for sailors.

Horatio Nelson gradually recovered over several months, and soon began agitating for a command.

In 1805, Taylor wrote to Horatio Nelson, requesting that he publicly intervene in favour of the pro-slavery side in Britain's debate over abolition.

Many of Horatio Nelson's actions indicate his position on the matter of slavery, most notably:.

Horatio Nelson was instructed to collect an inbound convoy of the Russia Company at Elsinore, and escort them back to Britain.

Related searches

Horatio Nelson successfully organised the convoy and escorted it into British waters.

Horatio Nelson then left the convoy to return to port, but severe storms hampered him.

Horatio Nelson was generally unsuccessful; he succeeded only in retaking several captured British merchant ships, and capturing a number of small fishing boats and assorted craft.

Horatio Nelson sailed again as part of the escort for a convoy to New York.

Horatio Nelson spent the rest of the war cruising in the West Indies, where he captured a number of French and Spanish prizes.

Horatio Nelson visited France in late 1783 and stayed with acquaintances at Saint-Omer; briefly attempting to learn French during his stay.

Horatio Nelson served on the station under Admiral Sir Richard Hughes, and often came into conflict with his superior officer over their differing interpretation of the Acts.

Horatio Nelson was unsuccessful, as there were too few ships in the peacetime navy, and Hood did not intercede on his behalf.

Horatio Nelson spent his time trying to find employment for former crew members, attending to family affairs, and cajoling contacts in the navy for a posting.

Hood readily acquiesced, and sent Horatio Nelson to carry dispatches to Sardinia and Naples, requesting reinforcements.

At some point during the negotiations for reinforcements, Horatio Nelson was introduced to Hamilton's new wife, Emma Hamilton, the former mistress of Hamilton's nephew, Charles Greville.

Horatio Nelson put to sea in pursuit of a French frigate, but on failing to catch her, sailed for Leghorn, and then to Corsica.

Horatio Nelson closed with them and discovered that they were a French squadron.

On his arrival, Horatio Nelson was given command of a small squadron consisting of Agamemnon, three frigates, and a sloop, and ordered to blockade the French garrison on Corsica.

Horatio Nelson began to land guns from his ships and emplace them in the hills surrounding the town.

Horatio Nelson then prepared for an assault on Calvi, working in company with Lieutenant-General Charles Stuart.

Horatio Nelson was struck by debris in his right eye and forced to retire from the position.

Horatio Nelson put into Leghorn and, while Agamemnon underwent repairs, met with other naval officers at the port and entertained a brief affair with a local woman, Adelaide Correglia.

Horatio Nelson immediately set out to intercept them, and Nelson eagerly anticipated his first fleet action.

Horatio Nelson joined the other British ships in attacking the battered Ca Ira, now under tow from Censeur.

Related searches

Horatio Nelson retreated to San Fiorenzo, arriving just ahead of the pursuing French, who broke off as Nelson's signal guns alerted the British fleet in the harbour.

Horatio Nelson returned to operate out of Genoa, intercepting and inspecting merchantmen and cutting-out suspicious vessels, in both enemy and neutral harbours.

Horatio Nelson formulated ambitious plans for amphibious landings and naval assaults to frustrate the progress of the French Army of Italy, which was now advancing on Genoa, but could excite little interest in Hotham.

Horatio Nelson's forces were able to cover the withdrawing army and prevent them from being surrounded, but he had too few ships and men to materially alter the strategic situation.

Horatio Nelson spent the first half of the year conducting operations to frustrate French advances and bolster Britain's Italian allies.

Horatio Nelson hurried there to oversee the evacuation of British nationals and transport them to Corsica.

Unable to outrun them, Horatio Nelson was initially determined to fight, but Culverhouse and Hardy raised the British colours and sailed northeast, drawing the Spanish ships after them until being captured, giving Horatio Nelson the opportunity to escape.

Horatio Nelson went on to rendezvous with the British fleet at Elba, where he spent Christmas.

Horatio Nelson joined Sir John Jervis' fleet off Cape St Vincent, and reported the Spanish movements.

Horatio Nelson found himself towards the rear of the British line and realised that it would be a long time before he could bring Captain into action.

Horatio Nelson led his party from the deck of San Nicolas onto San Josef and captured her as well.

Horatio Nelson did write a private letter to First Lord of the Admiralty, George Spencer, in which he said that Nelson "contributed very much to the fortune of the day".

Horatio Nelson wrote several letters about his victory, reporting that his action was being referred to amongst the fleet as "Horatio Nelson's Patent Bridge for boarding first rates".

Parker claimed that Horatio Nelson had been supported by several more ships than he acknowledged, and that San Josef had already struck her colours by the time Horatio Nelson boarded her.

Twice, Horatio Nelson was nearly cut down and—both times—his life was saved by a seaman named John Sykes, who took the blows himself and was badly wounded.

Horatio Nelson immediately ordered another assault, but this was beaten back.

Horatio Nelson prepared for a third attempt, to take place during the night.

Horatio Nelson's boat reached its intended landing point, but as he stepped ashore, he was hit in the right arm by a musketball, which fractured his humerus bone in multiple places.

Horatio Nelson was rowed back to Theseus to be attended to by its surgeon, Thomas Eshelby.

Horatio Nelson was met with a hero's welcome; the British public had lionised Nelson after Cape St Vincent, and his wound earned him sympathy.

Related searches

Horatio Nelson exclaimed that he would have given his other arm to have been present.

Horatio Nelson spent the last months of 1797 recuperating in London, during which time, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London and a pension of £1,000 a year.

Horatio Nelson used this money to buy Round Wood Farm, near Ipswich, and intended to retire there with Fanny.

Horatio Nelson, having been reinforced with a number of ships from St Vincent, went in pursuit.

Horatio Nelson began searching the Italian coast for Napoleon's fleet, but was hampered by a lack of frigates that could operate as fast scouts.

Horatio Nelson followed him there, but by the time he arrived, the French had already left.

Horatio Nelson, meanwhile, had crossed the Mediterranean again, in a fruitless attempt to locate the French, and returned to Naples to re-provision.

Horatio Nelson hurried to the port, but again found it empty of the French.

Horatio Nelson fell to the deck, with a flap of torn skin obscuring his good eye.

Horatio Nelson briefly came on deck to direct the battle, but returned to the surgeon after watching the destruction of Orient.

Horatio Nelson wrote dispatches to the Admiralty and oversaw temporary repairs to the Vanguard before sailing to Naples, where he was met with enthusiastic celebrations.

Lord Spencer demurred, arguing that as Horatio Nelson had only been detached in command of a squadron—rather than being the commander in chief of the fleet—such an award would create an unwelcome precedent.

Horatio Nelson was cheered by the attention showered on him by the citizens of Naples, the prestige accorded him by the kingdom's elite, and the comforts he received at the Hamiltons' residence.

Horatio Nelson made frequent visits to their residence to attend functions in his honour, or tour nearby attractions with Emma, who was almost constantly at his side and with whom, by now, he had fallen deeply in love.

Orders arrived from the Admiralty to blockade the French forces in Alexandria and Malta, a task Horatio Nelson delegated to his captains, Samuel Hood and Alexander Ball.

Horatio Nelson hastily organised the evacuation of the Royal Family, several nobles, and British nationals—including the Hamiltons.

Horatio Nelson took those who had surrendered under the treaty under armed guard, as well as the former Admiral Francesco Caracciolo, who had commanded the Neapolitan navy, under King Ferdinand IV, but had changed sides during the brief Jacobin rule.

Horatio Nelson ordered his trial by court-martial and refused Caracciolo's request that it be held by British officers.

Horatio Nelson kept the bulk of the Jacobins on the transports and began to hand hundreds over for trial and execution, refusing to intervene, despite pleas for clemency from both the Hamiltons and Queen Maria Carolina.

In 1799, Horatio Nelson opposed the mistreatment of slaves held in Portuguese galleys off Palermo and intervened to secure their release.

Related searches

Marquis acquiesced to the unusual request, allowing twenty-four slaves to be transferred to HMS Bonne Citoyenne; their blessings to Horatio Nelson ringing out across the harbour, as their names were added to the sloop's already crowded muster book.

Horatio Nelson spent most of 1799 at the Neapolitan court, but put to sea again in February 1800, after Lord Keith's return.

Keith ordered Horatio Nelson to assist in the siege of Malta - of which the Royal Navy was conducting a tight blockade.

Horatio Nelson had a difficult relationship with his superior officer; he was gaining a reputation for insubordination, having initially refused to send ships when Keith requested them, and on occasion, returning to Palermo without orders, pleading poor health.

Horatio Nelson was given a hero's welcome, and after being sworn in as a freeman of the borough, received the amassed crowd's applause.

Horatio Nelson attended court and was guest of honour at a number of banquets and balls.

Shortly after his arrival in England, Horatio Nelson was appointed to be second-in-command of the Channel Fleet, under Lord John Jervis.

Horatio Nelson was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Blue on 1 January 1801, and travelled to Plymouth, where on 22 January, he was granted the freedom of the city.

Horatio Nelson convinced Parker to allow him to make an assault and was given significant reinforcements.

At length, Horatio Nelson dispatched a letter to the Danish commander, Crown Prince Frederick, calling for a truce, which the Prince accepted.

Horatio Nelson spent the summer of 1801 reconnoitring the French coast, but apart from a failed attack on Boulogne in August, saw little action.

Horatio Nelson often found himself received as a hero, and was the centre of celebrations and events held in his honour.

In January 1803, Horatio Nelson appeared as a character witness in the treason trial of a former comrade in arms, Colonel Edward Despard.

In court, Horatio Nelson recollected his service with Despard in the Caribbean, during the American War:.

Under cross-examination Horatio Nelson had to concede to having "lost sight of Despard for the last twenty years".

Horatio Nelson directed a further plea for clemency to Prime Minister Henry Addington, who was later to tell Horatio Nelson that "he and his family had sat up after supper, weeping over the letter".

Horatio Nelson joined her at Portsmouth, where he received orders to sail to Malta and take command of a squadron there, before joining the blockade of Toulon.

Horatio Nelson arrived off Toulon in July 1803, and spent the next year and a half enforcing the blockade.

Horatio Nelson was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the White while still at sea, on 23 April 1804.

Horatio Nelson set off in pursuit, but after searching the eastern Mediterranean, learned the French had been blown back into Toulon.

Related searches

Horatio Nelson entertained a number of his friends and relations there over the coming month, and began plans for a grand engagement with the enemy fleet, one that would surprise his foes by forcing a pell-mell battle on them.

Horatio Nelson hurried to London, where he met with cabinet ministers and was given command of the fleet blockading Cadiz.

Wellington later recalled, "[Horatio Nelson] entered at once into conversation with me, if I can call it conversation, for it was almost all on his side and all about himself and, in reality, a style so vain and so silly as to surprise and almost disgust me".

Horatio Nelson spent the following weeks preparing and refining his tactics for the anticipated battle, and dining with his captains to ensure they understood his intentions.

Horatio Nelson had devised a plan of attack that anticipated the allied fleet would form up in a traditional line of battle.

On 20 October 1805, the fleet was sighted making its way out of harbour, by patrolling British frigates, and Horatio Nelson was informed that they appeared to be heading to the west.

Horatio Nelson then went below and made out his will, before returning to the quarterdeck to carry out an inspection.

Horatio Nelson returned briefly to his cabin to write a final prayer, after which he joined Victory's signal lieutenant, John Pasco.

Horatio Nelson replied that it was too late "to be shifting a coat", adding that they were "military orders and he did not fear to show them to the enemy".

Horatio Nelson told him to take his pick, whereupon Hardy moved Victory across the stern of the 80-gun French flagship, Bucentaure.

Horatio Nelson turned to see Nelson kneeling on the deck, supporting himself with his hand, before falling onto his side.

Horatio Nelson was carried below to the cockpit, by sergeant major of marines Robert Adair, and two seamen.

Horatio Nelson was taken to ship surgeon William Beatty, telling him:.

Horatio Nelson was made comfortable, fanned, and brought lemonade and watered wine to drink, after he complained of feeling hot and thirsty.

Horatio Nelson asked several times to see Hardy, who was on deck supervising the battle, and asked Beatty to remember him to Emma, his daughter and his friends.

Horatio Nelson told him that he was sure to die, and begged him to pass his possessions on to Emma.

Horatio Nelson, fearing that a gale was blowing up, instructed Hardy to be sure to anchor.

Horatio Nelson then stood for a minute or two, before kissing Nelson on the forehead.

Horatio Nelson looked up, as Beatty took his pulse, then closed his eyes.

Horatio Nelson died at half-past four in the afternoon, three hours after he had been shot.

Related searches

Horatio Nelson's body was placed in a cask of brandy mixed with camphor and myrrh, which was then lashed to the Victorys mainmast and placed under guard.

Horatio Nelson lay in state for three days in the Painted Hall of Greenwich Hospital, where the surrounding arrangements all but disintegrated, under the crush of crowds far greater than authorities had anticipated.

Horatio Nelson's body was then taken upriver, aboard a barge originally used as King Charles II's state barge; accompanied by Lord Samuel Hood, chief mourner Sir Peter Parker, and the Prince of Wales.

Horatio Nelson was regarded as a highly effective leader, and someone who was able to sympathise with the needs of his men.

Horatio Nelson based his command on love, rather than authority, inspiring both his superiors and his subordinates with his considerable courage, commitment and charisma—dubbed "the Nelson touch".

Horatio Nelson combined this talent with an adept grasp of strategy and politics, making him a highly successful naval commander.

Horatio Nelson's personality was complex, often characterised by a desire to be noticed—both by his superiors and the public.

Horatio Nelson was highly confident in his abilities, determined and able to make important decisions.

Horatio Nelson's active career meant that he was considerably experienced in combat and was a shrewd judge of his opponents, able to identify and exploit his enemies' weaknesses.

Horatio Nelson was often prone to insecurities as well as violent mood swings, and was extremely vain; he loved to receive decorations and tributes.

Horatio Nelson's fame reached new heights after his death, and he came to be regarded as one of Britain's greatest military heroes, ranked alongside the Duke of Marlborough and Duke of Wellington.

Horatio Nelson's influence continued long after his death, and saw periodic revivals of interest, especially during times of crisis in Britain.

Winston Churchill found Horatio Nelson to be a source of inspiration during the Second World War.

Horatio Nelson has been frequently depicted in art and literature; appearing in paintings by Benjamin West and Arthur William Devis, and in books and biographies by John McArthur, James Stanier Clarke and Robert Southey.

Horatio Nelson is celebrated and commemorated in numerous songs, written both during his life and following his death.

In 1800, Horatio Nelson visited Eisenstadt for four days and most certainly saw Haydn's new mass and in response he met and gave the elderly Haydn a watch he wore during the battle.

In Great Yarmouth, on the coast in his home county of Norfolk, the Britannia Monument to Horatio Nelson was erected in 1819, with dedications at the base to his four main naval victories.

Horatio Nelson received large Naval Gold Medals for the battles of St Vincent, the Nile and, posthumously, Trafalgar, one of very few recipients of three such medals.

Horatio Nelson was granted a royal license in 1802 to receive and wear the foreign Order of Saint Joachim.

Horatio Nelson was a Colonel of Marines from 1795 to 1797 and voted a Freeman of the cities and boroughs of London, Bath, Salisbury, Exeter, Plymouth, Monmouth, Sandwich, Oxford, Hereford, Haverfordwest and Worcester.

Related searches

Horatio Nelson had no legitimate children; his daughter, Horatia, married the Reverend Philip Ward, with whom she had ten children before her death in 1881.

Since Horatio Nelson died without legitimate issue, his viscountcy and his barony created in 1798, both "of the Nile and of Burnham Thorpe in the County of Norfolk", became extinct upon his death.

In November 1805, William Horatio Nelson was created Earl Horatio Nelson and Viscount Merton, of Trafalgar and of Merton in the County of Surrey, in recognition of his late brother's services, and he inherited the dukedom of Bronte.