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, Nelson joined the Navy in 1770 at the age of 12. He began his naval career as a helmsman on HMS Raisonnable, commanded by his maternal uncle, and soon became a midshipman. Unlike modern naval academies, midshipmen at the time were commissioned as officers after gaining practical and combat experience aboard active fleet warships. Despite being a sailor, he reportedly suffered greatly from seasickness throughout his entire naval career. He participated in the American Revolutionary War in 1780 and later took the lead in fighting the French Revolutionary government's fleet in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. In 1794, he occupied the island of Corsica, Napoleon's birthplace, where he suffered his first major injury, losing the sight in his right eye. In 1797, he served under Admiral John Jervis and achieved great distinction at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent against the Spanish Navy. During the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, the British fleet was severely outnumbered. However, Nelson acted independently without Jervis's instructions, turning his ship, HMS Captain, to prevent the Spanish fleet from concentrating, which led to a major British victory. In this battle, Nelson personally engaged in ship-to-ship combat and achieved the feat of capturing the Spanish ships San Nicolas and San Jose. Although Nelson's actions were technically insubordination, no one held him accountable because his defiance led to victory. In fact, Jervis embraced Nelson immediately after the battle 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's streak of success after Cape St. Vincent was met with a second injury. While operating in Tenerife, Spain, aboard HMS Theseus, he was struck by enemy fire and wounded in his right arm. The wound could not be treated properly, and he was forced to take a leave of duty for nearly five months. Nelson himself seemed quite despondent over losing his right arm following his right eye, even writing 'I am finished' in his notes. However, Nelson rallied his spirits and took on the mission to annihilate Napoleon, who had embarked on the Egyptian expedition. Although he failed to capture Napoleon, Nelson achieved a crushing victory at the Battle of the Nile (Aboukir Bay), nearly annihilating the French fleet. For this achievement, he was granted the title Baron Nelson of the Nile, marking the pinnacle of his military career. Later, while conducting operations in Naples and elsewhere, he received the title Duke of Bronte from the King of Naples and was successively appointed by the British government to Rear Admiral of the Red (7th in rank) and Vice Admiral of the Blue (6th in rank). - Famous Anecdote - The British government sent a fleet commanded by Sir Hyde Parker to Denmark for a show of force. The Dano-Norwegian fleet was smaller and less trained than the British, but they were protected by coastal batteries, and the waters off Copenhagen were notoriously difficult due to terrain and currents. Consequently, the battle turned into a fierce artillery duel. Meanwhile, Nelson was struggling immensely during 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 within reach if the attack continued just a bit longer, but Parker sent a flag signal ordering Nelson to retreat. When Parker pressed the retreat via flag signals, Nelson, unable to bear it, held 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 declined after this battle, and the Russian Tsar was assassinated. As a result, the confrontation between Britain and France on the European continent intensified. 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, distrust, indecisive command, 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, though he also has a stubborn streak in firmly believing in his own judgment.