Nelson (Horatio) Papers, 1777-1925, bulk 1777-1805

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Summary

Title:
Horatio Nelson papers
Dates:
1777-1925, bulk 1777-1805
Abstract:
A collection of material related to Lord Horatio Nelson, British admiral and hero of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Extent:
2 Linear Feet (1 box, 1 folder, 5 volumes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Horatio Nelson papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of correspondence, documents, printed material, and ephemera related to the British admiral, Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson. The correspondence includes letters from Nelson to Captain William Locker, Lady Emma Hamilton, and Prince William Henry, later William IV, King of England. The letters detail Nelson's career from 1777, particularly the Baltic Expedition, the Battle of Copenhagen, and the Battle of Trafalgar; various minor encounters between British and enemy warships; Prince William Henry and his naval activities; and family and personal affairs, especially in connection with Lady Emma Hamilton. The collection also includes a few letters from other naval officers, naval documents and printed material, clippings, and ephemera.

Biographical / historical:

Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) was a British admiral during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars who made his reputation in 1797 with his victory at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. Nelson was created Viscount in consequence of his victory at Copenhagen Harbor in 1801 and was the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Though he experienced seasickness throughout his naval career, he was considered one of the greatest admirals in British history. Nelson married Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate in Nevis on March 11, 1787, and they soon settled in England at the end of his tour of duty. In September 1793, Nelson met Emma Hamilton, the wife of the British ambassador William Hamilton, and they began an affair which resulted in the birth of a daughter, Horatia Nelson in 1801. In 1797, during the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Nelson was hit in the right arm by a musket ball which fractured his humerus in multiple places; due to the extensive wound most of his right arm was amputated. On October 21, 1805, during the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson was struck by a musket ball fired by a French sharpshooter; he was taken below deck and died a short time later.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by purchase from various sources, specific acquisition information noted on individual folders and in volumes, 1918-1970.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff from 1920 to 1970; in June 2026, Gayle M. Richardson created the finding aid. This collection includes multiple acquisitions acquired and assembled by Huntington Library staff over many years.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically and by format.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Gayle M. Richardson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-06-24 07:39:03 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Horatio Nelson papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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