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A: Horatio Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk in 1758. He joined the Navy aged just 12 and, despite seasickness, became a captain by 20.

A: He lost the sight of in his right eye when he was struck in the face during a siege on the island of Corsica in 1794. Contrary to popular belief though, he did not wear an eye patch. His right arm was badly wounded in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797 and the arm was amputated, without anaesthetic.

A: Indeed not. Less than a year after losing his arm he was back in action. He went on to claim a great victory over the French in the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Because of its strategic importance, some historians claim this victory was the most significant of his career, Trafalgar notwithstanding.

A: He was considered a born leader, noted for his ability to inspire and bring out the best in others. He was also known for his boldness, meaning he didn't always follow orders from his superiors. For example, in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 he ignored orders to cease action. Legend has it that he put his telescope to his blind eye and claimed he couldn't see the signal. The result was another victory.

A: He married Frances Nisbet in 1787, but he became famous for his love affair with Emma, Lady Hamilton, wife of the British Ambassador to Naples. She was openly his mistress and they eventually had a daughter, Horatia.

A: Under Nelson's leadership, the British Navy proved its supremacy over the French. Cape Trafalgar saved Britain from threat of invasion by Napoleon, but it was the battle that cost Nelson his life and he died after being struck in the left shoulder by a musket ball.

A: He was granted a state funeral, which at the time was unprecedented for someone who was not of royal blood, and finally laid to rest in St Paul's Cathedral.

A: You could pay a visit to his former ship, HMS Victory, in Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard, where they do make provisions for disabled visitors. Or see collections at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich or the Nelson Museum in Monmouth. If you want to see the musket ball that killed him, it was made into a pendant locket and presented to Queen Victoria; it is now on display in the Grand Vestibule at Windsor Castle.