More about Lady Emma Hamilton

Born Amy Lyon in Cheshire in 1761, she was the daughter of a blacksmith who died when she was two months old, leaving Amy to be brought up by her mother Mary Kidd. She later changed her name to Emma Hart.

While still married to Hamilton Emma met the dashing and charismatic Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson and they embarked on a passionate affair. At the age of 40 Emma gave birth to Nelson's daughter Horatia.

After Nelson's death in the famous Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Emma fell deeply into debt. She spent a year in debtor's prison before moving to France to try to escape her creditors. She died in Calais in January 1815 aged 54.