Lord Horatio Nelson is the person who famously turned a blind eye.
The Story Behind the Phrase
The expression "turn a blind eye" is often attributed to an incident during the 1801 siege of Copenhagen. At this naval battle, Lord Horatio Nelson, serving as second-in-command of the English fleet, received orders to withdraw.
Nelson's Defiance
Instead of complying, Nelson deliberately pretended not to see the signals from the flagship. He did this by placing his telescope to his blind eye, thus feigning ignorance of the order. This act of defiance allowed him to continue the battle, leading to a British victory.
Key Elements:
- Person: The act is specifically associated with Lord Horatio Nelson.
- Context: The event occurred during the siege of Copenhagen in 1801.
- Action: He used his blind eye and telescope to ignore orders to withdraw from battle.
- Purpose: The intention was to continue fighting despite the initial orders.
- Outcome: The defiance played a role in the British victory.
Nelson's Blind Eye:
Nelson had previously lost sight in one eye during an earlier battle, and it was this disability he used to his advantage in Copenhagen.
| Key Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Person | Lord Horatio Nelson |
| Event | Siege of Copenhagen (1801) |
| Action | Pretended not to see signals using his blind eye |
| Result | Continued battle leading to a victory |
Therefore, the phrase "turned a blind eye" is directly linked to Nelson's action during this battle and serves as a metaphor for deliberately ignoring something.
