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Admiral Collingwood: Nelson's Own Hero
Admiral Lord Collingwood, the eldest son of a Newcastle merchant, went to sea in 1761 at the age of thirteen. In his nearly fifty years in the Navy he rose to become a fine seaman, a master of gunnery, a battle commander the equal of his friend - and rival in love - Nelson. He was also an accomplished writer and wit, a doting father, inveterate gossip and consummate diplomat and strategist.
Collingwood's service took him to Boston, where he lived and fought during the American War of Independence; to Antigua, where he and Nelson both fell in love with Mary Moutray; to Corsica; Sicily; and Menorca, where he began as a young midshipman and ended his career as the effective viceroy of the Mediterranean.
ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD is an intimate portrait of a forgotten British naval hero and a thrilling portrait of the glory years of the age of sail.
Collingwood's service took him to Boston, where he lived and fought during the American War of Independence; to Antigua, where he and Nelson both fell in love with Mary Moutray; to Corsica; Sicily; and Menorca, where he began as a young midshipman and ended his career as the effective viceroy of the Mediterranean.
ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD is an intimate portrait of a forgotten British naval hero and a thrilling portrait of the glory years of the age of sail.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2005
16 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Max Adams
14 books184 followersI am an archaeologist, woodsman and traveller. I live in the North-east of England where I write about landscape and history. My next non-fiction work, to be published in Autumn 2017, is called Alfred's Britain - a history and archaeology of the British Isles in the Viking Age. The King in the North has been a non-fiction bestseller since its publication. In the Land of Giants, my latest non-fiction book, is a series of journeys, mostly on foot, through Dark Age landscapes.
In May 2016 I published my first novel, The Ambulist.
In May 2016 I published my first novel, The Ambulist.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 5, 2016
This is not going to be a very helpful review I'm afraid.
All I can say is, compared to other Age of Sail biographies I read recently, I found this one a bit lacking in detail, but I have trouble putting my finger on what exactly it was that I found lacking.
The briefness with which especially Collingwood's early life is described, may, of course, be attributed to the fact that the majority of Collingwood's surviving private correspondence dates from the last few years of his life, but while reading I never felt like I could get a good grasp of Collingwood's character until the very end of the book. Which is a bit disappointing, because he is rather popular with certain circles of AoS enthusiasts on the internet (for his kind-heartedness and shrewed wit), but I did not feel like I really got to know the man through this book. Probably the only effective way is to read the collected letters that survive by yourself.
For people intersted in naval actions this biography also isn't one of the more exciting ones. The only actions described in detail are the well known fleet actions of the time (First of June, Cape St. Vincent, Trafalgar). The biography mentions that Collingwood saw some action as a frigate captain in his career, but we don't get any details. When it came to fighting Collingwood's early career was surprisingly uneventful.
I also expected the biography to go into more detail about Collingwood's friendship with Nelson. But even though a couple of letters are quoted from, I didn't feel like this biography allowed me to understand that relationship in full either. More quotes would certainly have been appreciated.
This isn't a bad book though, it is very readable in fact, and while I think it is too short in some regards, it is still full of facts and anecdotes well worth the read. I also loved the biography starting with examining the remaining few memorials of Collingwood's life. The biographer does a fair job of lifting Collingwood's style as a commander, tactician and humanist out of Nelson's shadow, which is what he set out to do. So in certain regards this is a successfull biography and a worthwile read.
All I can say is, compared to other Age of Sail biographies I read recently, I found this one a bit lacking in detail, but I have trouble putting my finger on what exactly it was that I found lacking.
The briefness with which especially Collingwood's early life is described, may, of course, be attributed to the fact that the majority of Collingwood's surviving private correspondence dates from the last few years of his life, but while reading I never felt like I could get a good grasp of Collingwood's character until the very end of the book. Which is a bit disappointing, because he is rather popular with certain circles of AoS enthusiasts on the internet (for his kind-heartedness and shrewed wit), but I did not feel like I really got to know the man through this book. Probably the only effective way is to read the collected letters that survive by yourself.
For people intersted in naval actions this biography also isn't one of the more exciting ones. The only actions described in detail are the well known fleet actions of the time (First of June, Cape St. Vincent, Trafalgar). The biography mentions that Collingwood saw some action as a frigate captain in his career, but we don't get any details. When it came to fighting Collingwood's early career was surprisingly uneventful.
I also expected the biography to go into more detail about Collingwood's friendship with Nelson. But even though a couple of letters are quoted from, I didn't feel like this biography allowed me to understand that relationship in full either. More quotes would certainly have been appreciated.
This isn't a bad book though, it is very readable in fact, and while I think it is too short in some regards, it is still full of facts and anecdotes well worth the read. I also loved the biography starting with examining the remaining few memorials of Collingwood's life. The biographer does a fair job of lifting Collingwood's style as a commander, tactician and humanist out of Nelson's shadow, which is what he set out to do. So in certain regards this is a successfull biography and a worthwile read.
August 5, 2025
Well written, easy to follow and digest book on an incredible man who gave his life to service and was over shadowed throughout his career by more famous names. His input and dedication, including a 7 year period leading to his death where he didn't even set foot back home in England or see his family shows the incredible commitment to his career and the country's interests. I learnt about a man and career I had never even heard of.
December 13, 2020
While reading Max Adams's book Land of Giants recently (recommended), I was interested to see he'd written a biography of Admiral Lord Collingwood. Thinking to myself, didn't I just buy...? I went and looked, and indeed found this on my shelf!
For over 200 years, Cuthbert Collingwood has existed in the lee of Horatio Nelson, his friend and, at Trafalgar, senior officer. This is unfortunate; while Collingwood's career lacked the publicity value of Nelson's, his service to his country, particularly as commander in the Mediterranean after Nelson's death, was just as, and perhaps more valuable. It was to Collingwood that the hard job of keeping the lid on, fending off the French from Britain's allies, and supporting the fight against Napoleon in Spain fell, and he performed his task with great agility and skill - so much so that the aftermath of Trafalgar continues to be glossed over historically.
There have been remarkably few biographies of Collingwood, and while this one is relatively brief, Adams makes good use of sources old and some new. His final chapter in particular is a nice piece of analysis, putting Collingwood firmly into his historical place. It is to be hoped that this biography, written for the occasion in 2005 of the bicentenary of Trafalgar, will inspire more people to consider this quiet, self-effacing, but diligent man, and perhaps inspire the publication of what, on the face of what Adams has presented in this book, is clearly a deeply fascinating collection of letters.
For over 200 years, Cuthbert Collingwood has existed in the lee of Horatio Nelson, his friend and, at Trafalgar, senior officer. This is unfortunate; while Collingwood's career lacked the publicity value of Nelson's, his service to his country, particularly as commander in the Mediterranean after Nelson's death, was just as, and perhaps more valuable. It was to Collingwood that the hard job of keeping the lid on, fending off the French from Britain's allies, and supporting the fight against Napoleon in Spain fell, and he performed his task with great agility and skill - so much so that the aftermath of Trafalgar continues to be glossed over historically.
There have been remarkably few biographies of Collingwood, and while this one is relatively brief, Adams makes good use of sources old and some new. His final chapter in particular is a nice piece of analysis, putting Collingwood firmly into his historical place. It is to be hoped that this biography, written for the occasion in 2005 of the bicentenary of Trafalgar, will inspire more people to consider this quiet, self-effacing, but diligent man, and perhaps inspire the publication of what, on the face of what Adams has presented in this book, is clearly a deeply fascinating collection of letters.
October 26, 2025
Very informative however not as much action based as I would have hoped. However, great read and learning experience about all the details of his life on a personal level and regarding the royal navy.
January 13, 2024
Interesting.
June 10, 2024
This is an exceptional read that provides a comprehensive and engaging portrayal of one of Britain's greatest naval commanders and is a must-read for anyone interested in maritime history, leadership, or simply an inspiring tale of courage and camaraderie.
March 26, 2025
Excellent!!
March 21, 2015
A biography of Lord Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. He joined the British navy at 13 and worked his way up to Commander in Chief of British naval forces in the Mediterranean following Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar. He fought at the Glorious First of June and also at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. Leading up to Trafalgar, the outnumbered Collingwood brilliantly bluffed the combined French & Spanish fleets back into Cadiz. This gave Nelson the chance to join forces with Collingwood. Collingwood's action was hailed at the time in the Naval Journal, but the significance of his action goes largely unnoticed today.
Collingwood was Nelson's 2nd in command at Trafalgar. He led the leeward line of ships while Nelson led the windward line of ships as the British ships cut through the lines of the combined French/Spanish fleet. Collingwood in the Royal Sovereign was far ahead of the other British ships when he engaged the combined fleet at close range. Seeing this, Nelson, Collingwood's close friend, admired Collingwood's courage. At the same time, Collingwood remarked that Nelson would love to be in Collingwood's place at that moment.
Despite Royal Sovereign, Nelson's Victory & several other British ships being dismasted, not a single British ship was lost at Trafalgar or during a series of storms right after the battle. Several dismasted ships broke their towlines during the storm. This led to Collingwood's decision to sink the captured & disabled French & Spanish ships rather than risk their being recovered by the enemy. Collingwood was criticized for this decision by many but it was the right decision.
As Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean, Collingwood displayed not only strategic but diplomatic skills. He lent crucial support not only to the Spanish rebellion against Napoleon but also to support Wellington's forces in Spain & Portugal. Collingwood's actions frustrated Napoleon's designs in the Mediterranean. Collingwood died (of stomach cancer) in 1810, having started too late to return to England. He had been at sea for 7 years in a row at that point.
Collingwood drilled his crews to perfection in gunnery. The British ships averaged 3 broadsides in about 3 1/2 minutes while the French & Spanish took nearly twice as long. That was crucial to winning in the ship to ship melees that followed the British breaking the French & Spanish lines.
Collingwood was also renowned for his humanity towards his sailors. He made sure they were well fed & kept healthy. He also was an effective disciplinarian without resorting to floggings or beatings in an era of brutal naval discipline. He made sure that officers coming up under his command spent time on the lower decks learning the ways of the common sailors. At the same time some of his ship captains didn't like Collingwood's micromanagement. The author is well versed in Patrick O'Brian's novels and points out many similarities between Collingwood & O'Brian's Jack Aubrey.
The author frequently quotes from Collingwood's letters and from other's letters about Collingwood. He shows a very human side of Collingwood. Someone who mixed in family & naval gossip with political & naval insights. Collingwood's unique wit is well displayed in these letters.
At the end of the book, the author includes Collingwood's 2 reports after the Battle of Trafalgar, including indicating where deletions & additions were made to the reports.
I recommend this book.
Collingwood was Nelson's 2nd in command at Trafalgar. He led the leeward line of ships while Nelson led the windward line of ships as the British ships cut through the lines of the combined French/Spanish fleet. Collingwood in the Royal Sovereign was far ahead of the other British ships when he engaged the combined fleet at close range. Seeing this, Nelson, Collingwood's close friend, admired Collingwood's courage. At the same time, Collingwood remarked that Nelson would love to be in Collingwood's place at that moment.
Despite Royal Sovereign, Nelson's Victory & several other British ships being dismasted, not a single British ship was lost at Trafalgar or during a series of storms right after the battle. Several dismasted ships broke their towlines during the storm. This led to Collingwood's decision to sink the captured & disabled French & Spanish ships rather than risk their being recovered by the enemy. Collingwood was criticized for this decision by many but it was the right decision.
As Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean, Collingwood displayed not only strategic but diplomatic skills. He lent crucial support not only to the Spanish rebellion against Napoleon but also to support Wellington's forces in Spain & Portugal. Collingwood's actions frustrated Napoleon's designs in the Mediterranean. Collingwood died (of stomach cancer) in 1810, having started too late to return to England. He had been at sea for 7 years in a row at that point.
Collingwood drilled his crews to perfection in gunnery. The British ships averaged 3 broadsides in about 3 1/2 minutes while the French & Spanish took nearly twice as long. That was crucial to winning in the ship to ship melees that followed the British breaking the French & Spanish lines.
Collingwood was also renowned for his humanity towards his sailors. He made sure they were well fed & kept healthy. He also was an effective disciplinarian without resorting to floggings or beatings in an era of brutal naval discipline. He made sure that officers coming up under his command spent time on the lower decks learning the ways of the common sailors. At the same time some of his ship captains didn't like Collingwood's micromanagement. The author is well versed in Patrick O'Brian's novels and points out many similarities between Collingwood & O'Brian's Jack Aubrey.
The author frequently quotes from Collingwood's letters and from other's letters about Collingwood. He shows a very human side of Collingwood. Someone who mixed in family & naval gossip with political & naval insights. Collingwood's unique wit is well displayed in these letters.
At the end of the book, the author includes Collingwood's 2 reports after the Battle of Trafalgar, including indicating where deletions & additions were made to the reports.
I recommend this book.
March 24, 2014
A birthday present from a friend whose favourite historical characters is Collingwood, I loved learning about this man who I'd honestly not known anything about before. A great biography and def. recommended to anyone interested in the Age of Sail. It actually makes me want to pick up my Patrick O'Brian novels again, since Jack Aubry was apparently modelled quite a bit on Admiral Collingwood.
September 6, 2014
I enjoyed this - the research was thorough and he obviously liked his subject but somehow the book didn't quite sparkle. Well worth anyone reading to gain knowledge of the subject, but could have been so much more somehow. Maybe I'm just underrating it the way Collingwood has always been underrated?
August 3, 2018
A marvel of historical narrative . A wonderful book that brings the amazing life of this great man to the minds eye in great detail. Highly recommended. Thoroughly readable.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews