In an era of a new kind of celebrity, and in an era of constant war, no war hero stood out in Britain quite like Admiral Nelson and no event stood out quite like the Battle of Trafalgar. Southey [1774-1843], who had, like his fellow poets Wordsworth and Coleridge, moved from youthful liberal politics to conservatism, does work to present a balanced portrait in his Life of Nelson. His focus is giving sailors and the public a view of Nelson's character traits that led to success and those that led to failure. The result is filled with exciting battle details and Nelson's own writings, but short on the story of Nelson's romance with Emma Hamilton. First published 8 years after Nelson's death, it's not only a good read but also a window into how people viewed him at the time. First published in 1813, this copy is the second edition published in 1814 by John Murray, Bookseller to the Admiralty and Board of Longitude, Albermarle Street, London. Printed by Dove, St. John's Square. Beautifully tooled contemporary binding, binder unknown. Cut marbled page edges. Pages are very clean and not foxed. Brown silk page markers are fragile. Some of the hinges are weak. A bookplate has apparently been removed from the front pasted down end paper of both volumes with little damage to the marbled paper. 7 pages of advertisements in the back of Volume 1. John Murray. London. 1814. Leather. USED. $350