Full name: Horatio Nelson Born: 29th September 1758 Place of Birth: Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk Occupation: British Naval Commander Died: 21st October 1805

Horatio Nelson was a British Naval Commander born on 29th September 1758 at Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk. In 1771, Nelson joined the Royal Navy at the age of 12 on HMS Raisonable before taking part in an arctic expedition.  Nelson spent three years living in an East Indies station before returning to England to be made acting Lieutenant of HMS Worcester on 26th September 1776 and lieutenant of HMS Lowestoft in 1777.

Nelson served during the war of American Independence from 1775 and 1782 and became commander of HMS Badger before becoming post-captain, which allowed him to serve in action.  In 1779, at the age of 20, Nelson was further promoted as Captain of HMS Hitchingbroke and was sent to Spain to attack a fort after Spain had decided to support the American colonists.

In 1787, Nelson married Francis Nesbit but experienced a lull in command and received only half pay for five years. Nelson was appointed commander of the Agamemnon during the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793 and lost sight in his right eye whilst serving in the Battle at Calvi, a successful siege between 19th June and 10th August 1794.  Nelson helped the army to secure Corsica from the French. 

Due to Nelson's relentless determination to succeed, he sustained 4 serious injuries during various battles.  Nelson left Agamemnon and joined the larger, HMS Captain and took a leading role in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1797, during which, he took the ship out of line to attack a group of Spanish ships with success and was given the rank of Colonel of Marines. 

Nelson took part in the Battle of Santa Cruz and lost his right arm, but his relentless determination brought him victory in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 and the Battle at the Nile in 1798, during which he destroyed Napoleon's fleet. Nelson was appointed Vice-Admiral of the Royal Navy in 1801 and was appointed to command the Mediterranean fleet with HMS Victory.  One of Nelson's most renowned victories was the Battle at Cape Trafalgar, which saved Britain from the threat of Napoleon but Nelson was killed by a French Sniper during battle after famously declaring to his fleet, 'England expects that every man will do his duty'. 

Nelson was almost 47 years old when he died but had become a national hero and was given a state funeral in Britain on the return of his body on 9th January 1806.  Nelson's inspirational leadership and hugely successful strategies resulting in a number of significant victories have made him one of Great Britain's most heroic figures.