Horatio Nelson Born in 1758 in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, Kingdom of Great Britain. His height is estimated to have been similar to Napoleon's. Born as the sixth of eleven children to an Anglican priest in 1758, Nelson joined the Navy in 1770 at the age of 12. He began his naval career as a helmsman on the HMS Raisonnable, where his maternal uncle served as captain, and became a midshipman shortly thereafter. Being a midshipman back then didn't mean attending a naval academy like today; he was commissioned as an officer after gaining practical and combat experience while sailing on warships of the frontline fleet. However, despite being a sailor, he is said to have suffered greatly from seasickness throughout his naval career. He participated in the American Revolutionary War in 1780 and later took the lead in fighting the fleets of the French Revolutionary government in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. In 1794, he captured the island of Corsica, Napoleon's birthplace, but suffered his first major injury there, losing his right eye. In 1797, he came under the command of Admiral John Jervis and achieved great distinction in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent against the Spanish Navy. At the time of the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, the British fleet was at a severe numerical disadvantage. However, Nelson acted independently without Jervis's instructions, turning his ship, the HMS Captain, to prevent the Spanish fleet from concentrating. Thanks to this, the British fleet won a great victory. In this battle, Nelson personally engaged in shipboard combat and achieved the feat of capturing the Spanish ships San Nicolas and San Jose. Although Nelson's actions were a clear act of insubordination, no one held him accountable because he won thanks to that very insubordination. Rather, Jervis, who met Nelson immediately after the battle, hugged him tightly and defended him against an aide who pointed out the insubordination. In April of the same year, Nelson was promoted to Rear Admiral of the Blue, the ninth highest rank in the Royal Navy. However, Nelson, who had been on a winning streak since the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, suffered a second injury. While assigned to the HMS Theseus and conducting operations in Tenerife, Spain, he was hit by enemy fire and wounded in his right arm. The problem was that it could not be treated properly. Eventually, Nelson had to rest from his duties for nearly five months. Nelson himself seems to have been quite despondent about losing his right eye and then injuring his right arm, even writing 'I am finished' in his notes. However, Nelson pulled himself together again and took on the mission to annihilate Napoleon, who had set out on an Egyptian expedition. Although he failed to capture Napoleon, Nelson won a crushing victory at the Battle of the Nile (Aboukir Bay), nearly annihilating the French fleet. For this achievement, he was granted the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, reaching the peak of his military career. Afterwards, while conducting operations in Naples and other places, he received the title of Duke of Bronte from the King of Naples and was successively appointed to the ranks of Rear Admiral of the Red (7th in naval seniority) and Vice Admiral of the Blue (6th in naval seniority) by the British government. - Famous Anecdote - The British government sent a fleet commanded by Sir Hyde Parker to Denmark to conduct a show of force. The Dano-Norwegian joint fleet was smaller in number and less trained compared to the British fleet, but they were protected by coastal batteries, and the waters off Copenhagen were difficult to navigate due to the terrain and currents. Consequently, the battle turned into a fierce artillery duel. Meanwhile, Nelson was struggling immensely in this operation. Sir Hyde Parker, the commander, was an excessively cautious and indecisive man, making him a terrible match for the aggressive and risk-taking Nelson. In Nelson's view, victory was possible if the attack continued just a little longer, but Sir Hyde Parker sent a flag signal ordering Nelson to retreat. When Parker pressed for retreat with the flag signal, Nelson, unable to bear it, put his telescope to his blind eye and said to his adjutant: 'I really do not see the signal.' After a fierce battle, Denmark surrendered to Britain, and the League of Armed Neutrality was broken. Denmark went into decline after this battle, and the Russian Tsar was assassinated. As a result, the confrontation between Britain and France on the European continent intensified further. Meanwhile, Nelson was created a Viscount for his victory at the Battle of Copenhagen. - Tastes and Symbols - - He loved the sea and sailing, active victory, honor, devotion to his country, socializing, and interacting with people. - He hated betrayal and distrust, indecisive command or missing opportunities, and anything that hindered his judgment. Personality - He gives a gentle and friendly impression, but on the battlefield, he is a bold commander with great resolve. He cares for his subordinates and possesses a strong sense of responsibility and confidence, but he also has a stubborn streak, firmly believing in his own judgment.