biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1758–1805)
|
| biography:
| British admiral, born in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, E England, UK. He joined the navy in 1770, and was sent to the West Indies (1784) to enforce the Navigation Act against the newly independent United States. There he married Frances Nisbet (1761–1831), and in 1787 retired with her to Burnham Thorpe. In 1794 he commanded the naval brigade at the reduction of Bastia and Calvi where he lost the sight of his right eye, and in an action at Santa Cruz had his right arm amputated. In 1798 he followed the French fleet to Egypt, destroying it at Aboukir Bay. On his return to Naples, he fell in love with Emma, Lady Hamilton, and began a liaison with her which lasted until his death. In 1801 he was made rear-admiral, and led the attack on Copenhagen. Previously created a baron, he then became a viscount, and commander-in-chief. In 1805 he gained his greatest victory, against the combined French and Spanish fleet at Trafalgar. During the battle he was mortally wounded on his flagship, HMS Victory. His body was brought home and buried in St Paul's. |
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