Hamilton, Emma, Lady

(born &circa; 1761, Great Neston, Cheshire, Eng.—died Jan. 15, 1815, Calais, France) English social figure, mistress of Horatio Nelson.

In 1786 she became the mistress, and in 1791 the wife, of Sir William Hamilton (1730–1803), British envoy to Naples. A beautiful woman whose portrait was frequently painted by George Romney, she was a favourite in Neapolitan society. She became Nelson's mistress in 1798 and gave birth to their daughter, Horatia, in 1801, then lived with Nelson after her husband's death (1803). She later squandered the money both men left her, was imprisoned for debt (1813–14), and died in poverty.