England's mistress : the infamous life of Emma Hamilton /Kate Williams.

This is a comprehensive biography of Emma Hamilton, Lord Nelson's mistress. It covers her entire life from her birth in 1765 to her death in Calais in 1815, when she was survived by her daughter, Horatia. As a young girl Emma came to London to make her fortune and eventually married Sir William Hamilton, the British Envoy to Naples in 1791. She became a close friend of the Queen of Naples and then Lord Nelson's mistress. The book draws on many letters which were previously undiscovered. There are reproductions of the famous Romney portraits of Emma as well as illustrations by Gilray and Rowlandson lampooning Emma and her relationship with Nelson. There are extensive notes, a bibliography and an index.