Society

Corbett 100

The project marks the centenary of the death of British naval historian and maritime strategist Sir Julian Corbett (1854-1922). It is a collaboration between the Laughton Unit, King’s College London and the Hattendorf Historical Center, U.S. Naval War College. It explores historical and contemporary questions related to naval history, maritime strategy and strategic theory.

Directors and Academic Counsel:

The project is co-directed between PhD candidate James W.E Smith, King’s College London and Dr D. Kohnen, U.S Naval War College. The project is supported through an academic council comprised of Professor Andrew Lambert at King’s College London and Professor John Hattendorf at the U.S. Naval War College. Dr Mark Bailey (Royal Australian Navy) is the Asia-Pacific representative.

Aims

To examine the impact, influence and legacy of Sir Julian Corbett and his works on historical questions.
Explore the relevance of Sir Julian Corbett’s works on contemporary questions such as maritime strategy, sea power, defence and strategy.
To provide the ideal platform to bring together international academics, civilian researchers, veterans and active military discuss historical and contemporary questions covering a range of topics from maritime strategy, defence policy, strategic theory, sea power, trade protection, future global trends, security, space strategy, and wargaming.
To establish and network academics, civilian researchers, veterans and active military from an international background in a range of fields.

Methods

A series of conferences held at King’s College London, U.S. Naval War College and the Asia-Pacific region.
Publications related to the life and works of Sir Julian Corbett.
Publications related to the application of Sir Julian Corbett’s thoughts, theories and works.
Conventional and digital repository of resources for civilian and professional military education students related to Sir Julian Corbett on naval history and maritime strategy.

Project team

John Bew

Professor in History and Foreign Policy

Wyn Bowen

Head of School for the School of Security Studies

David Kohnen

Research Associate

Andrew Lambert

Laughton Professor of Naval History

James W.E Smith

PhD Candidate

Work that has informed Corbett 100 includes:

Stafford, Julian. 1911.Some Principles of Maritime Strategy. London, New York.
Corbett, Julian Stafford, and Andrew D. Lambert.21st Century Corbett: Maritime Strategy and Naval Policy for the Modern Era. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2017.
Smith, James W.E. “Corbett’s Relevance to the Modern Strategic Thinker.” The Strategy Bridge, 21 Aug. 2018.
Smith, James W.E. “Corbett offers more on Space than Mitchell.” War on the Rocks, 11 Dec. 2019.

Exhibitions

Marking Laughton 20 and Corbett 100 Launch

The day will mark twenty years of the Laughton Naval History Unit and Laughton Chair at King’s College London. Students, staff and alumni will reflect on progress in the field of naval history, including a sample of latest historical research. Elsewhere panellists will discuss the relationship between naval history and maritime strategy with contemporary debate ranging from politics, foreign policy, culture, defence and strategic studies around the world.