Profession: Admiral
Biography: One of Great Britain's greatest war heroes, Nelson was the victor of many battles of the Napoleonic Wars.
Nelson's greatest victory was also his last, the Battle of Trafalgar. He led a numerically smaller British fleet against a combined Spanish and French fleet who lost 22 ships without losing a single British vessel. During the battle Nelson was shot by a French musketeer and died soon after.
Nelson was respected for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, that came to be known as "The Nelson Touch".
Born: September 29, 1758
Birthplace: Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, England
Star Sign: Libra
Died: October 21, 1805 (aged 47)
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Articles and Photos
Horatio Nelson: From Frail Boy to National Hero
A 12-year-old boy stepped into a world where many men feared to tread on this day: the harsh and brutal British Navy. He was legend-to-be Horatio Nelson.
November 27, 1770Nelson's Dying Wish: Save Emma
Admiral Lord Nelson sailed into the life of Lady Emma Hamilton for the first time on this day. It would be the start of one of history’s great love affairs.
September 10, 1793Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797)
British ships with captured Spanish vessels in the foreground and the rest of the British fleet in pursuit of the fleeing Spanish
February 14, 1797Battle of Copenhagen
Nelson’s line anchored and in action against the Danish line, which lies between him and Copenhagen
April 2, 1801
Married Life
- 1787-03-11 Naval officer Horatio Nelson (28) weds Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate on the island of Nevis
Historical Events
- 1779-06-08 Admiral Horatio Nelson and Captain Thomas Hardy on HMS Foudroyant set sail against Spanish fleet
- 1797-02-14 Battle of Cape St. Vincent: British fleet under Admiral Sir John Jervis defeats larger Spanish fleet under Admiral Don José de Córdoba y Ramos near Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. Captain Horatio Nelson distinguishes himself.
- 1797-07-25 Horatio Nelson loses more than 300 men and his right arm during the failed conquest attempt of Tenerife (Spain)
- 1798-08-01 Battle of the Nile: British Royal Navy under Admiral Horatio Nelson attacks and decimates the French fleet at Aboukir Bay off the Nile Delta, Egypt
- 1798-08-02 Battle of the Nile: British Royal Navy under Admiral Horatio Nelson further decimates the French fleet
- 1798-08-03 Battle of the Nile: British Admiral Horatio Nelson forces the remnants of the French fleet to surrender, concluding a decisive victory for the British who capture or destroy 11 French ships of the line and 2 frigates
- 1801-04-02 Napoleonic Wars: The British led by Horatio Nelson destroy the Danish fleet in the naval Battle of Copenhagen
- 1805-10-21 Battle of Trafalgar: British Admiral Horatio Nelson defeats combined French and Spanish fleet. Nelson shot and killed during battle.
- 1806-01-09 Admiral Viscount Horatio Nelson receives a state funeral and is interred in St Paul's Cathedral, London