Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté KBwas a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. He was noted for his inspirational leadership, superb grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics, all of which resulted in a number of decisive naval victories, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was wounded several times in combat, losing one arm in the unsuccessful attempt to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the sight in one eye in Corsica. He was shot and...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionWar Hero
Date of Birth29 September 1758
I think it will surprise and confound the enemy. They won't know what I am about. It will bring forward a pell-mell battle, and that is what I want.
It is warm work; and this day may be the last to any of us at a moment. But mark you! I would not be elsewhere for thousands. - at the Battle of Copenhagen.
The defeat of the combined French and Spanish fleets lifted the very real threat of an invasion of Britain and it was greeted by the nation with huge relief,
You must hate a Frenchman as you do the devil
I owe all my success in life to having always been a quarter of an hour beforehand
My love is founded on esteem, the only foundation that can make the passion last.
If a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his own hands, it is certain that his opinion is against fighting.
Something must be left to chance; nothing is certain in a sea fight
Thank God I have done my duty. Drink, drink. Fan, fan. Rub, rub. Kiss me, Hardy.
Now I can do no more. We must trust to the Great Disposer of all events and the justice of our cause. I thank God for this opportunity of doing my duty.
Laurels grow in the Bay of Biscay, I hope a bed of them may be found in the Mediterranean.
The business of the English commander-in-chief being first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Never break the neutrality of a port or place, but never consider as neutral any place from whence an attack is allowed to be made.
When I came to explain to them the 'Nelson Touch', it was like an electric shock. Some shed tears, all approved - 'It was new - it was singular - it was simple!'.