Historical Consultant & Historian - not just maritime history!
Ian has a lifelong passion for history. For him, studying history is all about:
- understanding past worlds
- bringing the past to life (but not living in it!)
- communicating his fascination with history to others
His knowledge and interests include maritime history, archaeology, Britain from the Romans to the 17th century, English local history, architecture, aviation and 20th century military history.
NEWS
On 30 January 2009 the Minister of Culture, Barbara Follett, appointed Ian as the Naval/Maritime History member of the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites (ACHWS), to serve for a four-year term. The ACHWS advises the government on the suitability of wreck sites to be designated for protection on the grounds of historical, archaeological, or artistic interest in accordance with the terms of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. The Committee also advises on other aspects of the operation of the Act and on other general underwater archaeology issues which may affect historic wrecks within UK waters. ACHWS members give their services on an honorary basis.
Other highlights of Ian's career to date include:
- Medieval Historian at the National Maritime Museum (NNM), Greenwich
- a key member of the team that staged the NMM's 1988 blockbuster Armada exhibition (500+
16th-century items on display, 600,000 visitors, £1 million to stage), working as an historian, editor, cartographer, contributor co-ordinator and exhibition copywriter - author of two major books on maritime history - see Publications
- development of over 40 museum exhibitions - see Select List of Exhibition Work
- elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA) in 2000
- author of plays and other fictional works that use history as a springboard for the imagination -
see Writer - public speaker and lecturer, giving hundreds of talks in this country and abroad - see Talks & Voices From History
- leader of many guided walks - see Talks & Voices From History
- broadcaster on radio and TV - see Media Work
If you think that Ian might be able to help with your project, please contact him.