Horatio Nelson
1758–1805 · British (Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk) · Napoleonic Wars
Known for: Britain's greatest naval hero—won the Battle of Trafalgar and died in the moment of victory
Nelson was the greatest naval commander in history. He destroyed Napoleon's fleet at the Nile (1798), annihilated the Danish fleet at Copenhagen (1801), and won the decisive Battle of Trafalgar (1805)—ending any chance of a French invasion of Britain. He was killed by a sniper during the battle.
He lost his right arm and sight in one eye in previous battles but kept fighting. His signal before Trafalgar: 'England expects that every man will do his duty.' His dying words: 'Thank God I have done my duty.'
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