Vice Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve
Pierre-Charles Villeneuve commanded the combined French and Spanish fleet at Trafalgar and killed himself months afterwards. Born in Provence in 1763 into an aristocratic family, he entered the navy at fifteen and served in the American war. He kept his commission through the Revolution, unlike most noble officers, and was promoted rapidly as the officer corps emptied. He commanded the rear division at the Nile in August 1798, and his ships were the only ones to escape when Nelson destroyed Brueys's fleet in Aboukir Bay. He was criticised for not intervening, and the escape defined his reputation on both sides. He was given the Mediterranean fleet in 1804 for Napoleon's invasion of England. The plan required the French squadrons to break out, draw the Royal Navy across the Atlantic to the West Indies, double back, and gather in the Channel to cover the crossing. Villeneuve executed the first part, reached Martinique, and returned to encounter Calder off Finisterre in July 1805 in an inconclusive action, after which he put into Cadiz rather than sailing north. Napoleon abandoned the invasion and ordered him to the Mediterranean, then dispatched an officer to replace him. Villeneuve, learning that his successor was coming, sailed out on 19 October 1805 rather than be relieved in disgrace. At Trafalgar on 21 October, Nelson cut his line in two columns. The allied fleet lost twenty-two ships and Villeneuve was captured aboard the Bucentaure, having fought his own ship until it was dismasted. Held in England, he attended Nelson's funeral. Released, he was found dead in an inn at Rennes in April 1806 with multiple stab wounds, ruled a suicide.
- Lived: 1763 CE – 1806 CE
- Nationality: French
- Roles: admiral
