William Nelson, 1st Earl Nelson
(1757-1835), Brother of Lord NelsonRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 2 portraits
The elder brother of Horatio Nelson. After graduating from Christ's College, Cambridge, Nelson was ordained into the Church of England and became a curate. He persuaded his brother Horatio to engage him as chaplain on his frigate Boreas. He found the discomforts of life aboard ship uncongenial and he left the ship in Antigua. He returned to England and resumed his curacy, and in 1802 was awarded a doctorate in divinity from Cambridge. When his brother was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Nelson presided over the funeral arrangements. As a proxy for his dead brother he succeeded as Baron Nelson and the following month was created Viscount Merton and Earl Nelson of Trafalgar and Merton.
The Trial of Queen Caroline 1820
by Sir George Hayter
oil on canvas, 1820-1823
NPG 999
Various heads including William Nelson, 1st Earl Nelson and Frederick, Duke of York
by Sir George Hayter
pencil, ink and chalk, circa 1820
NPG 2662(21)
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