Lectures
The main series of lectures that the BCMH holds annually are the King's Seminars from October to May. Normally, these lectures are all held in King's College London except for the Proctor Memorial Lecture in October which is held at Lloyd's Register.
All lectures are open to everyone and free to attend.
No registration is required, except for the Proctor Memorial Lecture which has limited spaces.
Contact for further information about the King's Seminars.
The Commission supports a clear Code of Conduct during its events.
King's Seminars
Next King's Seminars: Autumn 2020
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 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. Find out more about the King's Seminars.
King's Seminars, 2020-21
The King’s Maritime History Seminars will be re-starting with three, fully-online events in the autumn term, 2020. We look forward to welcoming you from the safety of wherever you are to the usual experience of rewarding papers and open discussion on maritime and naval history. As circumstances change, we will be monitoring the situation, and a full programme of events for the Spring term, 2021, will be distributed in due course.
8 October 2020 Back Pocket Cruisers: the Royal Navy’s Tribal, Battle, and Daring Classes, the Genesis of the Modern Destroyer
Dr Alexander Clarke, Kingston University & ‘Naval History Live’
5 November 2020 The Queen’s Maritime Palace: the Monarchy and Naval Diplomacy at Osborne House, c. 1845-1890
Dr Lee Butcher, English Heritage & King’s College London
3 December 2020 The Frantic Atlantic: Ocean Liners in the Interwar Literary Imagination
Prof. Faye Hammill, University of Glasgow
As always, attendance is free and open to all. To take part, you must register on Eventbrite by visiting the KCL School of Security Studies Events page . Shortly before the event, you will receive instructions, by email, about how to join by Zoom.
Proctor Memorial Lecture
Next Proctor Memorial Lecture: tbc
The Proctor lecture forms part of the King's Seminars series of lectures but is held at Lloyd’s Register and the speaker is a distinguished international historian and is open to all.
The annual Proctor Memorial 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.
The Proctor Memorial Lecture is hosted by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and takes place at Lloyd’s Register, 71 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BS. Admission to this lecture is solely by ticket, available by registering online, or by contacting Heritage & Education Centre at hec.info@lrfoundation.org.uk
Please note that no Proctor Memorial Lecture will be held in 2020
Watch the 2019 BCMH Proctor Memorial Lector
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 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.
