England turns to the sea, 1550 - 1580

Dr James Davey is a historian of Britain and its maritime world, focusing on the Royal Navy in the 17th, 18th and early 19th Centuries. James' research and teaching look beyond the traditional remit of maritime history to analyse the political, economic, social and cultural forces which created the navy, and which were in turn shaped by its activities.

His recent book, In Nelson’s Wake: The Navy and the Napoleonic Wars, was published by Yale University Press in 2015. His current research project investigates how and why ideas about maritime endeavour and expansion were disseminated in early-modern England.