The Biennial Peter Nailor Memorial Defence Lectures hosted by the Mercers Company: Lecture Series
Oct. 7, 2024: -
The Biennial Peter Nailor Memorial Defence Lectures have a traditional link to the Gresham Society as they commemorate Professor Peter Nailor who revived Gresham College in the late 1980's and early 1990's (along with David Vermont and George Webb as well as various leading Mercers and leading City figures). Peter was the first Provost from 1988 to 1996 of this new College era and was an alumnus of Mercers’ School and a Mercer himself. At Gresham College, he was clear-sighted, far-seeing and vociferous when the occasion arose. Peter set the College on the path to being the vibrant organisation that we see today.
Following his death from cancer in 1996, a biennial lecture was established in his memory. Together with his School connection and support for the project by David Vermont and Wing Commander Mike Dudgeon (both Past Masters) this event is held at the Mercers’ Hall courtesy of the Company.
Peter was a career civil servant who was heavily involved in defence matters between 1952 and 1969, notably with the Polaris submarine project, which is why it was thought appropriate to devote the Nailor Lecture to the matter of defence. This is in fact one of the keynote lectures in the City of London on this topic, along with the Lord Mayor’s Defence Lecture.
After a spell as professor of politics at Lancaster University, Peter went to the former Royal Naval College at Greenwich as Professor of History and International Relations and had two spells as Dean. He maintained his connections with government and the defence sector and had quite an international profile himself, holding research appointments and professorships in Canada, Australia and India.
The lecture topics aim to cover the strategic elements of defence rather than the operational. The lectures are delivered by high-ranking military figures or academics specialised in current matters regarding security or the armed forces.