Horatio Hornblower

Horatio Hornblower is the primary character in the novel and in both short stories, and indeed in the entire series of novels. He is above average in height and average in weight. During his later life, he gains some small excess weight and finds it disagreeable, and his hair recedes and thins somewhat. Nevertheless, he is physically strong and has an excellent constitution. He is prone to seasickness, a weakness of some irony given that he spends almost his entire life upon the sea. Hornblower joined the Royal Navy at the fairly advanced age of seventeen, entering as a midshipman. He thereafter climbed through the ranks rapidly, as a lieutenant, commander, captain, and finally admiral. Devoid of patronage or political connections, Hornblower's promotions are all due to superior performance. He is without question a heroic figure. His navigational skills and seamanship are superior and his tactical judgment...