For 22 months Nelson pursued the French fleet back and forth across the Atlantic until the combined forces entered into the final battle leading to the defeat of the French off of Cape Trafalgar. Nelson won this most spectacular victory but died in action.
Horatio Nelson was a remarkable man, a great naval tactician and most victorious in battle, yet with a warm human passion that lead to his famous and earthy love affair with Lady Emma Hamilton.
Their first meeting in 1793 proved unforgettable and 5 years later Nelson returned to Naples. Lady Hamilton met his ship and fell sobbing into his arm, as he had lost the other in battle. From then on they were inseparable. As they both were already married, Neopolitan society was amused with the gossip about the brave admiral and his mistress. Theirs was an enduring love and in 1801 Lady Hamilton bore him a daughter.
Although she received legacies from both her husband and Nelson, she died in debt and obscurity.