Horatio Nelson was undoubtedly one of the Royal Navy's greatest figures and his achievements remain widely debated and discussed to this day.
         He was the champion of the British at a time when supremacy on the seas diverted an invasion by Napoleon's French forces.
         But while he was hailed as a hero for his fine nautical and military tactics and instinct, there is also much interest in Nelson's personal life as husband, lover and friend.
         Although he was married, Nelson had a much-documented affair with the real love of his life, Lady Emma Hamilton, a relationship which caused scandal in the Mediterranean and London.
         But the controversy has done little to divert attention away from his achievements, in particular four of the most important battles in naval history.
         During a 10-year period - Nelson's Decade - he pulled off four brilliant victories in the battles of Cape St Vincent, Nile, Copenhagen and, the most famous of all, Trafalgar.
         The first was at Cape St Vincent in 1797 and the last at Trafalgar in 1805 when he was killed in action.
         His naval career began in 1771 when he was just 12 years old, but it was through his illustrious victories that he caught the public imagination.
         Nearly 200 years after his death there can hardly be a schoolboy anywhere in the country who has not heard of Nelson.

An engraving of the Battle of Trafalgar

         Speculation about his battles rages on to this day. Books and articles continue to be written and traditional theories challenged.
         As modern thought develops with a greater knowledge of the navy in the 18th century, so new theories abound.
         Much hypothesising is made possible because of the enormous amount of evidence left for historians to ponder.
         This includes letters, diaries and other first hand documents from Nelson, his family and friends which have provided a basis for his life story.
         Nelson lived during an uncertain period and during his lifetime he saw a number of wars.
         He was born during the Seven Years War from 1756 to 1763 between Britain and France.
         Later the alliance of the French with America in the War of American Independence in 1775-82 led to a further war between the two countries.
         In 1793 the Revolutionary Wars marked the renewal of hostilities between the nations until 1801.
         Two years later, the Napoleonic Wars followed the French attempt to extend their revolution across Europe.
         Often Britain was at war with the Spanish as well as with the French. And so it was no surprise that Nelson would have felt powerful hostility towards the French.

Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar. He was shot by a musketeer high in the masts of a French ship

         His sea battles culminated in one of most famous nautical victories in history - the Battle of Trafalgar celebrated annually on the anniversary of the victory.
         At the battle, 27 British ships under Nelson's command triumphed against the larger fleet of 33 French and Spanish ships.
         The victory was dependent largely on Nelson's skills in planning and leadership.
         Although it was his most memorable victory, Nelson was struck down during the battle by a musketeer high in the masts of a French ship.
         He died after hearing that victory had been secured. His funeral was held in January 1806 at St Paul's Cathedral.
    The effects of the victory were enormous. In the short term the British fleet, the main defence against the French invasion, survived.
         But in the longer run it meant Britain would go on to rule the seas for the next 100 years.

By Adrian Wills, Defence Correspondent