Horatio Nelson
Royal Navy officer
Who was Horatio Nelson?
Vice-Admiral of the White Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (29 September 1758 – 21 October 1805) was a British Royal Navy officer whose leadership, grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics led to multiple decisive British naval victories during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Nelson was born into a moderately prosperous Norfolk family and joined the British Royal Navy in 1771 through the prominent influence of his uncle Maurice Suckling, a high-ranking naval officer. Britain's entry into the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793 allowed him to return to active service and participate in the siege of Toulon and invasion of Corsica, the latter of which resulted in Nelson partially losing sight in one eye. Rising rapidly through the ranks, in 1797 Nelson distinguished himself at the Battle of Cape St.
Historical significance
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest admirals in history. Developing a reputation for valour and a firm grasp of tactics, Nelson obtained his first command in 1778 but suffered bouts of illness and after the American War of Independence ended in 1783 was put on half-pay.
