A prominent museum has ignited a heated debate by suggesting that a major historical figure was queer.
The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool has introduced a new interpretation of Admiral Lord Nelson’s legacy, placing him in a collection titled "Queer Relationships." The exhibit highlights his bond with Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, framing it as a reflection of the “hidden queer history of life at sea.”
The inclusion of Nelson, who famously died aboard HMS Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, has reignited speculation around his final moments and the intimate connection between the two naval officers.
Nelson’s last words, “Kiss me, Hardy,” have long been a subject of historical controversy. According to reports, Hardy responded to Nelson’s plea with a kiss on the admiral’s hands and forehead.
While some historians have dismissed the significance of this moment, the Walker Art Gallery now presents it as a symbol of the close, and potentially intimate, relationships that could form between men in high-pressure environments like naval ships.
While the gallery’s exhibit acknowledges Nelson’s known romantic relationships with women, particularly Lady Emma Hamilton, they believe that he shared an emotional bond with Hardy as both sailors spent months away from their families.
“Whether or not their relationship was sexual remains unknown,” reads the gallery’s online exhibit, “but their friendship is reflective of the close relationships formed between men at sea. Intimate relationships, both sexual and platonic, could develop between those on board.”
A wider cultural shift in British museums
The Walker Art Gallery’s decision is part of a wider trend in British museums embracing inclusive storytelling. Events such as Queer History Night at the National Maritime Museum and initiatives like the “Pride and Prejudice” research project are re-examining historical figures through a more diverse lens.
The inclusion of Nelson in the gallery’s LGBTQ+ collection aligns with this shift, aiming to provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationships that shaped history, and a necessary step toward recognizing queer narratives in British history.
However, not everyone is happy with the gallery’s decision, as many critics, including the British advocacy group LGB Alliance, have voiced their concerns.
Kate Barker, CEO of LGB Alliance, stated: “We already have enough LGB heroes from history, without pretending that straight people were gay," per ArtNews.
"Rather than ‘queering’ people who can’t answer back, museums should be celebrating all the gay, lesbian and bisexual Britons who achieved brilliant things - despite living in eras far less tolerant than our own," Barker added.
Nelson’s legacy: Romanticized or misunderstood?
Historian Ross Clark has also criticized the museum’s interpretation, questioning the basis for labeling Nelson as queer.
Writing for The Spectator, Clark dismissed the idea and suggested that the notion of Nelson being gay was based solely on his last words, “Kiss me, Hardy,” a statement he deemed insufficient evidence to draw any firm conclusions.
Clark contended that while Nelson’s relationships were often tumultuous and complex, there is no concrete evidence to suggest he was anything other than heterosexual.
“To be fair, I guess no one can ever be sure that Nelson wasn’t gay. Maybe he wasn’t at Trafalgar at all and the painting was just a ruse to disguise the fact that he died while still in port, frolicking in a steamy sauna with his men," Clark said.
He added: "But I would say that the evidence we have makes it somewhat unlikely. Not only was Nelson married, but when he did fancy something on the side it tended to be with Emma, Lady Hamilton. As for being gay, absolutely the only thing we have is his comment to Hardy, which, like so many last words, is disputed in any case.”
Similarly, The Telegraph weighed in: “There is no evidence that Nelson was anything other than heterosexual. He was married to Frances Nelson, and conducted a scandalous affair with the married Lady Emma Hamilton who he talked of during his dying moments.”
The ongoing debate underscores a broader tension between historical interpretation and contemporary understandings of sexuality.
For some, the inclusion of Nelson in a queer collection is an important step toward embracing more inclusive narratives. For others, it feels like a misreading of historical facts.