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The Precursors of Nelson

By Paul Chamberlain

Nelson is by far the most famous admiral of the Royal Navy, yet the emphasis on him has obscured an understanding of how Nelson was both the product and beneficiary of decades of professional development in the Royal Navy. This course examines how the contribution of Nelson’s precursors brought their particular talents to bear upon the complex organisation that was the Royal Navy.

The Precursors of Nelson is the title of an eight-week course to be held at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, in association with Chatham Publishing. It will be held on Tuesdays from 8 May until 26 June, from 1030 to 1230. The course involves a number of speakers drawn from various Universities and Museums, and includes Brian Lavery. For details contact National maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF. Tel: 020 8312 6747; Email sbaylis@nmm.ac.uk or visit their website at www.nmm.ac.uk

Chatham Publishing has recently published a book entitled Precursors of Nelson: British Admirals of the Eighteenth Century (Edited by Peter Le Fevre and Richard Harding). This volume provides a series of in-depth biographical essays of the most important naval figures from the period, largely based upon original and unpublished research, and each written by a leading specialist in the field, resulting in a coherent history of the development of the art of command in the sailing navy. It is priced £25 hardback. For details plus their latest catalogue, contact Chatham Publishing, 61 Frith Street, London, W1V 5TA.

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