Yes, Admiral Nelson died before the start of the Regency Era, but if you read Regency romances like I do, you can’t escape him! If a woman is a widow, 95% of the time it’s because he was at the Battle of Trafalgar with Admiral, Lord Nelson.
From his Wikipedia page:
Nelson’s death at Trafalgar secured his position as one of Britain’s most heroic figures. The significance of the victory and his death during the battle led to his famous signal, “England expects that every man will do his duty“, being regularly quoted, paraphrased and referenced up to the modern day. Numerous monuments, including Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, London, have been created in his memory and his legacy remains highly influential.
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Nelson’s death at Trafalgar secured his position as one of Britain’s most heroic figures. The significance of the victory and his death during the battle led to his famous signal, “England expects that every man will do his duty“, being regularly quoted, paraphrased and referenced up to the modern day. Numerous monuments, including Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, London, have been created in his memory and his legacy remains highly influential.
Jane Austen Society of North America - New Jersey Region 