The British Commission for Maritime History

Proctor lecture

The annual Proctor Lecture celebrates David Proctor’s great contribution to maritime history both in Britain and internationally. Fittingly the distinguished scholars invited to present the lecture alternate between home and overseas lecturers.

2009 Proctor Memorial Lecture

Thursday 10th December 2009
German shipping companies during the 'great depression', 1929-1933/4
Dr Lars U Scholl, Director of the German Maritime Museum and Professor of Maritime History at the University of Bremen

The Proctor lecture takes place at Lloyd’s Register, 71 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BS. Admission to this lecture is solely by ticket, available from Proctor Lecture, GMI, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9LS. Email: gmi@gre.ac.uk

David Proctor

David Proctor who died in July 2000 was a man of wide culture; his interests embraced maritime history, the arts, music and much more. His book, Music and the Sea demonstrated the breadth of his scholarship ranging as it did over the centuries and drawing on his research in many European archives.

Until his retirement, David was Keeper of Manuscripts at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, where he was a source of advice to countless scholars, often from overseas, who sought his guidance. Such qualities led to him serving as Secretary-General of the International Commission for Maritime History in its early years. He did much to establish its structures and pattern of activity as well as contributing to its conferences held under the aegis of the International Commission for Historical Sciences. He also played a significant role in the founding of the International Congress of Maritime Museums.

David was a founder member of the British Commission and its first Secretary. He inaugurated the King's Maritime History Seminar which he organized for many years.

Previous Proctor Lectures

2008

The cartographic struggle for the Arctic passages, 1550-1650
Dr Sarah Tyacke CB, Royal Holloway, University of London

2007

Research in the history of navigation: its role in maritime history
Dr Willem F J Mörzer Bruyns, Nederlands Scheepvartmuseum, Amsterdam (ret.)

2006

Humankind and the sea: the changing relationship since the late eighteenth century
Dr David M Williams, University of Leicester