The Last Naval Hero

The extraordinary story of David, 1st Earl Beatty. Blessed with the Nelson touch, a matinee-idol image, and a ruthless and charismatic personality, Beatty rose with meteoric speed from cadet to First Sea Lord and to statesman. This talk discusses his rapidly increasing fame and fortune, his marriage to an opulent, hedonistic American socialite Ethel, and his role as a national hero. It examines his central and controversial part in the greatest naval battle (Jutland) and later, the greatest naval surrender (Der Tag) as well as his ‘Downton Abbey’ lifestyle of marital strife and scandal.