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. Find out more about the current virtual King's Seminars below.
Advance registration is required for the annual Proctor Memorial Lecture which has limited spaces.
The Commission supports a clear Code of Conduct during its events.
King's 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 (virtual events are being held for the time being). 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, 2021-22
The King’s Maritime History Seminars for 2021-22 will begin with four, fully-online events in the autumn term. Rest assured that the expectation is that we will return to face-to-face meetings from January 2022 whilst maintaining some form of online presence, and a full programme for the Spring will be distributed in due course. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming you back online for our usual experience of maritime and naval historical discussion and debate.
As circumstances change, we will be monitoring the situation.
As always, attendance to the Kings Seminar Series is free and open to all. Events start at 17:15.
How to register
Please visit the KCL School of Security Studies Events page and scroll down to click on the upcoming event that you would like to sign up for. Shortly before the event, you will receive instructions, by email, about how to join by Zoom.
Lecture dates
Download full details of the Autumn Term 2021 Seminars here
21 October 2021 Recruiting a naval reserve: the Royal Naval Coast Volunteers in Britain and Ireland, 1854–56
Paul Huddie, University College Dublin
Please visit the KCL School of Security Studies Events page to register to attend.
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 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 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 or 2021
Watch the 2019 BCMH Proctor Memorial Lecture - where Louis Sicking gave a paper on: "The Spritsail Revolution. Government Interference and the Introduction of New Technology at Sea in the Sixteenth Century"
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.
