Talk examines ballads and naval recruitment in the 18th century
The relationship between ballads and naval recruitment in the 18th century is the theme of a free public seminar at the University of Greenwich on Wednesday, 2 November at 6pm.
Dr James Davey will present a paper titled Singing for the Nation: Balladry, Naval Recruitment, and the Language of Patriotism in Eighteenth Century Britain. This is the second of the university’s Greenwich Maritime Institute (GMI) Research Seminars for this academic year.
The ballad was one of the most important vehicles of mass communication during the 18th century. Naval ballads were a consistent and popular theme, particularly in times of war. Almost without exception, they painted a positive picture of the navy, appealing to patriotism alongside the possible monetary benefits of enrolling for naval service.
Dr Davey is Curator of Naval History at the National Maritime Museum and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Greenwich. He was also Research Assistant at GMI for the Leverhulme Trust funded project, War, the Navy, and the Contractor State, 1793-1815.
This seminar will take place in Room 075, Queen Anne Court at 6pm. Tea & coffee will be available from 5.30pm and a glass of wine afterwards. The seminar is free and there is no need to book. Everyone is welcome.
To find out more about:
The programme for the GMI Research Seminar Series 2011–12
Supported by the Zhonghui Maritime Education Fund see: http://www.maritimelondon.com/gmi_lecture_prog2011_12.pdf
Studying at the Greenwich Maritime Institute, see: www.gre.ac.uk/gmi
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