Horatio Nelson

Template:TOC-right Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805), later vice admiral Horatio, Viscount Nelson, was a distinguished officer of the Royal Navy. He was a key commander in the Napoleonic Wars, killed in action at the culminating sea action, the Battle of Trafalgar. He was an aggressive tactician, whose insights, appropriate for the time, were fossilized into inappropriate rigid doctrine, but eventually put in proper and useful context.

Reputation

England expects every man will do his duty — Nelson's signal to the fleet at the start of the Battle of Trafalgar

The "Nelson touch" has become a well-recognized term for a naval officer of exceptional ability, with both technical insight and inspirational leadership.

Personal controversies

Nelson was married, but conducted an open and notorious affair, of many years, with Emma, Lady Hamilton. His wife remained devoted, but Lady Hamilton was his great love.

Fiction based on Nelson

• Horatio Hornblower
• Master and Commander
• Richard Bolitho
• Honor Harrington