Lectures & Events
The main series of lectures that the BCMH holds annually are the King's Maritime History Seminars from September to May. Normally, these lectures are all held in King's College London, except for the Proctor Memorial Lecture which is held at Lloyd's Register or another external location. We also host workshops and the annual New Researchers in Maritime History Conference.
All lectures listed below are open to everyone and free to attend but registration is required in advance.
The Commission supports a clear Code of Conduct during its events.
King's Maritime History Seminars
The King’s Seminars are an annual set of lectures organised by the BCMH, which run from October to May. They are open to the public and are normally held at King’s College London (and broadcast live via Zoom). The Kings Seminars are a range of lectures by invited speakers. There are usually two each month during term time.
The series is organised by Dr Alan James, and are supported by the Society for Nautical Research and the ‘Laughton Naval History Unit’ and ‘Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War’ at the Department of War Studies, King's College London.
Seminar Series, 2025-26
15 January 2026
Researching Invisible Seafaring Family Histories
Asif Shakoor, Independent Scholar, in conversation with Dr Georgie Wemyss, Co-Director of Centre for Research on Migration, Refugees and Belonging (CMRB) at the University of East London
29 January 2026
‘Men of the most splendid talents and professional respectability’: Naval surgeons, professional identity, and collective bargaining in the French Wars (1793–1815)
Manon Williams, Institute of Historical Research, School of Adanced Studies
12 February 2026
The Flying Squadron’: the Crimean War in the Sea of Azov campaign, May-November 1855
Alexander Sutherland, King’s College London
26 February 2026
Jorge Juan’s British-style Navy: An 18th Century experiment in technology transfer
Catherine Scheybeler, King’s College London
12 March 2026
Maritime Security: A Global Challenge that Should Not be Ducked
Malcolm Murfett, King’s College London
26 March 2026
The Prince Royal of Denmark’s Yacht (1785): A Maritime History Mystery and an Art History Rediscovery
Julie Papworth and Roger Dence, King’s College London
30 April 2026
Before the Asiento: the English Atlantic slave trade from its origins through to 1713
Neil Datson, Independent Researcher
14 May 2026
A ‘proper object’ of charity?: British naval widows’ petitions, deservingness, and survival strategies, 1819-1847
Carrie Long, Royal Holloway, University of London
The Peter N. Davies Memorial Lecture
28 May 2026
Title to be confirmed
David Morgan-Owen, University of St. Andrews
Details of the Series
The King’s Maritime History Seminars for 2025-26 may be attended in person or online. As always, attendance is free and open to all. To take part, you must register by visiting the KCL School of Security Studies Events page.
Online attendees will receive instructions shortly before the event, by email, about how to join. Otherwise, we will meet in person, as usual, in the Dockrill Room, KIN 628, at King’s College London. Papers will begin at 17:15 GMT.
The King’s Maritime History Seminar is hosted by the ‘Laughton Naval Unit’ and the ‘Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War’ in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London. It is organised by the British Commission for Maritime History (www.maritimehistory.org.uk) in association with the Society for Nautical Research.
For further information contact Dr Alan James, War Studies, KCL, WC2R 2LS alan.2.james@kcl.ac.uk.
Registration Events | School of Security Studies | King’s College London (kcl.ac.uk)
Download the full series dates.
Contact us to find out more about the King's Seminars
Proctor Memorial Lecture
Next lecture: Thursday, 11 December 2025
This year we have the pleasure of hearing from Professor Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, Professor of History, University of Iceland and President of Iceland 2016-2024. The title of this year's lecture will be “We won!” The Cod Wars and the confessions of a historian who became head of state. More details to follow.
The Proctor lecture forms part of the King's Seminars series of lectures, but is usually held at Lloyd’s Register as a very special event within our calendar. After the lecture we welcome all attendees to join us for conversation, wine and nibbles!
The annual Proctor Memorial Lecture celebrates the great contribution of David Proctor to maritime history both in Britain and internationally. Fittingly, the distinguished scholars invited to present the lecture alternate between UK and international lecturers.
Registration is essential to help ensure that people who have signed up want to come on the night (we usually have a large waiting list for this popular event so want to avoid ‘no shows’ where possible). Book your tickets via Eventbrite.
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 of the Sea demonstrated the breadth of his scholarship, ranging 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. The annual Proctor Memorial Lecture is dedicated to David.
Workshops
The BCMH host workshops (usually once a year) to help researchers that are interested in enhancing knowledge and understanding of human societies’ relationship with the sea. Find out about our 1-day event - 'Doing Maritime History Research Online' on 4 February 2022.
