Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet

Sir Thomas Hardy
Hardy in 1809, by Domenico Pellegrini
Birth name	Thomas Masterman Hardy
Born	(1769-04-05)5 April 1769[1] Kingston Russell, Dorset, England
Died	20 September 1839(1839-09-20) (aged 70) Greenwich, London, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1790–1839
Rank	Vice-Admiral
Commands	HMS Mutine HMS Vanguard HMS Foudroyant HMS Princess Charlotte HMS San Josef HMS St George HMS Isis HMS Amphion HMS Victory HMS Triumph HMS Barfleur HMS Ramillies HMS Princess Augusta South America Station Greenwich Hospital
Battles / wars	French Revolutionary Wars Action of 19 December 1796 Battle of Cape St. Vincent Battle of the Nile Battle of Copenhagen Napoleonic Wars Battle of Trafalgar War of 1812
Awards	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, 1st Baronet, GCB (5 April 1769 – 20 September 1839) was a British Royal Navy officer. He took part in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in February 1797, the Battle of the Nile in August 1798 and the Battle of Copenhagen in April 1801 during the French Revolutionary Wars. He served as flag captain to Admiral Lord Nelson, and commanded HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. Nelson was shot as he paced the decks with Hardy, and as he lay dying, Nelson's famous remark of "Kiss me, Hardy" was directed at him. Hardy went on to become First Naval Lord in November 1830 and in that capacity refused to become a Member of Parliament and encouraged the introduction of steam warships.