Horatio Nelson

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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.^[1] 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[edit]

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.

Early life[edit]

There had long been, in the Royal Navy, documents and publications called Fighting Instructions. ^[2] Nelson's specific instructions at Trafalgar contravened existing doctrine, but less insightful admirals then made them standard operating procedure. They were intended for a specific tactical situation, with a particular set of aggressive and trusted commanders sharing a common tactical philosophy.

Personal controversies[edit]

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.

Naval career[edit]

Battle of Copenhagen[edit]

Battle of the Nile[edit]

Battle of Trafalgar[edit]

This was the decisive naval engagement of the war, irretrievably breaking the French Navy.^[3] Prior to the battle, he had mapped out an unconventional tactical plan, putting his force into what was considered a vulnerable position, but in which he believed, correctly, that the higher skill level of the Royal Navy would prove decisive. Unfortunately, a number of later successors rigidly applied that plan in situations where the specific conditions of Trafalgar did not apply.

On board his flagship, HMS Victory, Nelson died of a gunshot wound received after he knew Britain had won the battle. While treatment was far beyond the capabilities of early 19th century medicine,^[4] there have been interesting contemporary medical analyses. ^[5]

Effect on doctrine[edit]

Fiction based on Nelson[edit]

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

References[edit]