The Importance of Nelson's Legacy

Nelson the symbol, and Nelson the National Hero, almost totally eclipsed Nelson the man. When someone is held up as an icon of patriotism, a national saviour, there simply isn't room for them to be remembered as a flawed human being. But I don't think Nelson would have had it any other way. He revered Britain, and the Royal Navy. He probably would have been proud to have remained useful to them so long after the end of his life. We know that before the battle, he was preoccupied with what would become of Lady Hamilton and his daughter Horatio. You might recall that he wrote a new cottosol to his will only a few days before