Nelson in Reading, United Kingdom

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Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, KB (September 29, 1758 - October 21, 1805), was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. He earned fame for his brilliant leadership and exceptional grasp of strategy, leading to several decisive naval victories, especially during the Napoleonic Wars. Wounded multiple times in combat, he lost one arm while attempting to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife and sight in one eye in Corsica. He was fatally shot at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Nelson was born into a moderately prosperous Norfolk family and joined the navy through his uncle's influence, Maurice Suckling. He rapidly rose through the ranks and served under top naval commanders before receiving his own command in 1778. Nelson developed a reputation for bravery and tactics but faced periods of illness and unemployment after the American War of Independence ended. The outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars allowed him to return to service, where he played a key role in the Mediterranean. He fought in several minor battles off Toulon and was crucial in capturing Corsica and subsequent diplomatic missions with Italian states. In 1797, Nelson distinguished himself at the Battle of Cape St Vincent while commanding HMS Captain. Shortly after, he participated in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where his attack failed and he suffered severe injuries, losing his right arm, forcing him to return to England for recovery. The following year, he won a decisive victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile and remained in the Mediterranean to support the Kingdom of Naples against a French invasion. In 1801, he was dispatched to the Baltic and won another victory over the Danes at the Battle of Copenhagen. He subsequently commanded the blockade of the French and Spanish fleets at Toulon and, after their escape, pursued them to the West Indies and back but failed to engage in battle. After a brief return to England, he took command of the Cádiz blockade in 1805. On October 21, 1805, the Franco-Spanish fleet emerged from port, and Nelson's fleet engaged them at the Battle of Trafalgar. The battle was Britain's greatest naval victory, but during the action, Nelson was fatally wounded by a French sharpshooter while aboard HMS Victory. His body was brought back to England for a state funeral. Nelson's death at Trafalgar cemented his position as one of Britain's most heroic figures. The significance of the victory and his death led to his famous signal, "England expects that every man will do his duty," being frequently quoted, paraphrased, and referenced up to this day. Numerous monuments, including Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London, have been created in his honor, and his legacy remains highly influential. This object is part of the Scan The World initiative. Scan The World is a non-profit project introduced by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access free of charge. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how to help.