Peter Goodwin (maritime author)
Encyclopedia
Peter Goodwin is a British maritime historian and author, and the former Keeper and Curator of .
in nuclear submarines, qualifying as a marine engineer. Subsequently, he worked in Glasgow
as a consultant design engineer, before completing an MPhil
at the Institute of Maritime Studies, at the University of St Andrews
. As an article by Haley Storey explains, ‘Peter’s interest in 18th century ship construction began when he was just eight years old and, like many boys his age, he enjoyed putting together wooden models.’
Between 1991-2011, he was the Keeper and Curator of , HM Naval Base Portsmouth
.
He has written eight books on ship construction and Britain’s maritime heritage, specialising in the career and ships of Lord Nelson
. Goodwin ‘is widely acknowledged as one of the leading writers on the sailing warship.’
Of Nelson’s Ships (2002), Nautical Magazine wrote ‘Superb description of life in the Georgian Navy… Compelling read recommended to everyone with an interest in naval history’.
Goodwin’s Nelson’s Men O’War (2005), released to coincide with the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar
, was written in conjunction with the National Maritime Museum
, Greenwich
.
Goodwin has also acted as a historical consultant, most notably on the 20th Century Fox
film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
, inspired by Patrick O’Brian’s series of Aubrey–Maturin novels
, and the television adaptation of Hornblower
, in which he made a brief cameo.
Goodwin resides in Southsea
with his wife, the Local History Officer and Curator of Portsmouth Museum and Records Service.
Biography
Peter Goodwin served in the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in nuclear submarines, qualifying as a marine engineer. Subsequently, he worked in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
as a consultant design engineer, before completing an MPhil
Master of Philosophy
The Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate research degree.An M.Phil. is a lesser degree than a Doctor of Philosophy , but in many cases it is considered to be a more senior degree than a taught Master's degree, as it is often a thesis-only degree. In some instances, an M.Phil...
at the Institute of Maritime Studies, at the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
. As an article by Haley Storey explains, ‘Peter’s interest in 18th century ship construction began when he was just eight years old and, like many boys his age, he enjoyed putting together wooden models.’
Between 1991-2011, he was the Keeper and Curator of , HM Naval Base Portsmouth
HMNB Portsmouth
Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the British Royal Navy...
.
He has written eight books on ship construction and Britain’s maritime heritage, specialising in the career and ships of Lord Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
. Goodwin ‘is widely acknowledged as one of the leading writers on the sailing warship.’
Of Nelson’s Ships (2002), Nautical Magazine wrote ‘Superb description of life in the Georgian Navy… Compelling read recommended to everyone with an interest in naval history’.
Goodwin’s Nelson’s Men O’War (2005), released to coincide with the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
, was written in conjunction with the National Maritime Museum
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
, Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
.
Goodwin has also acted as a historical consultant, most notably on the 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a 2003 film directed by Peter Weir, starring Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey, with Paul Bettany as Stephen Maturin and released by 20th Century Fox, Miramax Films and Universal Studios...
, inspired by Patrick O’Brian’s series of Aubrey–Maturin novels
Aubrey–Maturin series
The Aubrey–Maturin series is a sequence of nautical historical novels—20 completed and one unfinished—by Patrick O'Brian, set during the Napoleonic Wars and centering on the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey of the Royal Navy and his ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin, who is also a physician,...
, and the television adaptation of Hornblower
Hornblower (TV series)
Hornblower is the umbrella title of a series of television drama programmes based on C. S. Forester's novels about the fictional character Horatio Hornblower, a Royal Naval officer during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars....
, in which he made a brief cameo.
Goodwin resides in Southsea
Southsea
Southsea is a seaside resort located in Portsmouth at the southern end of Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire in England. Southsea is within a mile of Portsmouth's city centre....
with his wife, the Local History Officer and Curator of Portsmouth Museum and Records Service.