"sexy and / or simple" Maritime History Research

[anteros_lmc]

Just when you think we're making some progress.....

Last week nodbear and I received a copy of the New Researchers in Naval History conference programme and we were delighted, and not a little surprised, to discover that out of a dozen papers, half are being presented by women. True, the keynote and the conference chair are men, but a 50/50 split among the presenters is damn good going. Much better than recent conferences in my own academic domain.

However there still seems to be a bit of an attitude, among some maritime history researchers that pisses me off enormously.

Here's a classic example from twitter earlier today...

74guns Tony Beales: Maritime history = gay pirates & ships in bottles?

navalhistorian Dr Phil Weir: @74guns Forgive the ignorance Tony (I blame the cold), but in reference to?

74guns Tony Beales: @navalhistorian Just this grumpy old man sniping at Write Queer London at the NMM & Help Bring the Ship in the Bottle to Greenwich

navalhistorian Dr Phil Weir: @thenavycampaign @74guns Not to mention tie-ins to films starring Johnny Depp impersonating Keith Richards impersonating a pirate...

thenavycampaign The Navy Campaign: @74guns @navalhistorian Don't get gloomy about it! So many people know there's way more to maritime history than gay pirates + bottle ships!

74guns Tony Beales: @thenavycampaign @navalhistorian And I guess it introduces a few more to maritime history

74guns Tony Beales: @navalhistorian @thenavycampaign What bothers me is the bizarre success criteria the DCMS apply to museums (DCMS is the Department of Culture, Media and Sport - the Government department that funds and runs public museums, galleries, libraries, etc.)

thenavycampaign The Navy Campaign: @navalhistorian @74guns Unfortunately, sexy and/or simple and/or scandal sells...

74guns Tony Beales: @thenavycampaign @navalhistorian No. of underprivileged, ethnic minorities & children in cafe gets more funding than researchers in library

74guns Tony Beales: @StephenBaines2 Too many things annoy me - must chill!

And here's another charming example of this attitude...

The Caird Library at Greenwich recently reopened with a blogger's preview and J D Davies, one of the bloggers who was fortunate enough to be invited along, responded with this delightful post, The Old Order Changeth, on his blog Gentlemen and Tarpaulins. Here's a couple of highlights...

Aesthetically, there’s simply no comparison between old and new. One approached the old Caird by way of a splendid rotunda which contained a bust of Sir James Caird upon a pedestal. One approaches the new by the sort of narrow, functional back stair one would find as the fire escape of a provincial hotel; poor old Sir James is now stuck out of the way on a landing. One entered the old Caird by splendid wooden double doors which opened onto a carpeted aisle with large glass-doored bookcases on either side, leading to a small number of large tables. The new Caird has the look and feel of a small university library,

...

In a way, though, all of this sums up the crucial difference between the two libraries. The old Caird was clearly designed as, and essentially remained, a reading room for a small elite band of gentlemen-scholars, not too different from the ambience of the West End clubs they frequented. (On one occasion many years ago I was engrossed in study of a particularly interesting manuscript when I became aware of a presence at my shoulder. ‘And what are you studying?’ asked a familiar voice. It was the Duke of Edinburgh.) The old library simply could not accommodate the increasing numbers of people who wished to use it, particularly after the boom in interest in genealogy.

...

The new Caird is divided into two parts, one area for those who wish to chat as they attempt to unearth Great Uncle Harry’s maritime career and one for individual researchers who wish to work quietly, albeit in uncomfortably close proximity to others.

To be fair to Mr Davies, he also has many positive things to say about the facilities at the new Caird, but it's the attitude that bugs me. To say nothing of the inference that, as a "proper" researcher, he has more right to the Caird's incomparable archives than people who have the temerity to want to research their ancestors' contribution to the maritime history of this country.

Now the thing is, I have worked as a "proper" researcher most of my life, in fact my current job title happens to be Senior Research Fellow, however I have no words to express how much I detest this kind of petty academic snobbery. Especially when it is tinged with racism, sexism and homophobia.

If it wasn't for the fact that Johnny Depp deserves better, I would be severely tempted to go off and write a 10,000 word pwp pirate porn epic featuring Captain Jack Sparrow and a bunch of maritime history researchers.

Comments

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

(gentlemen-scholars, for all love *mutters*)
They deserve no love at all. I am sure Stephen would have a much more enlightened attitude.

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

I'd read that story. *grin*
Have to admit that the Keith Richards comment made me laugh, though Mr. 74guns is going off half-cocked with his dismissive remarks about diversity. It doesn't seem to occur to him that those minorities and the parents of those children help fund the museums (which I assume are at least partially supported by taxes).
I am designating myself a "lady-scholar." In fact, I am going to put that on my name tag for the one scholarly event I attend each year (the Internatl Congress on Medieval Studies).

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

(Late reply is late)

It doesn't seem to occur to him that those minorities and the parents of those children help fund the museums (which I assume are at least partially supported by taxes).
The museums are funded entirely by public taxes plus occasional private bequests. And not only that, those children are the future generation of scholars and historians so we should be doing everything we damn well can to encourage them into the archives, libraries and museum!

I am designating myself a "lady-scholar."
I approve and applaud you!

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I cannot even think of a good response to that man. He is selfish for one thing. Also he is missing the point of everything.

I want to read the fic about the pirate and the researchers!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I think you thought up the perfect response! He is selfish and missing the point of everything.

You'll be delighted to hear that nodbear has promised to try and identify the "gentleman scholar" so she can knock his books of the desk next time she's visiting the library!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

And what, pray tell, is so very wrong about fostering a wider public interest in history and research? Even if it's originally sparked by a movie with sexy pirates in eyeliner? (Personally, I think calling Capt. Jack Sparrow "gay" is making it too narrow - he's rather like that OTHER Capt. Jack, the Harkness one.)

Admittedly, I'm biased, as an enthusiastic amateur without even a bachelor's, and who's been delighted by primary-source records since a history project in eighth grade - we were given the task of researching the history of our house and the land it was built on. The house I grew up in was only built in 1961, but the town library had documents going all the way back to Colonial days describing the farm it was on and its boundaries. Including a description of the small stream that ran through it, which had been filled in by the time my house was built but whose course was VERY visible each time we got a heavy rain! And the documents were handwritten (of course). And I had to squint to make out some of the words. And it was the most thrilling damn thing ever that year.

ETA: And they let a child of twelve at these records. Couldn't take them out of the historic documents room at the library, but they were there, and I could touch them, and they didn't try to stop me or scold about me not being serious. They were there for ANYONE WHO ASKED.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

This. This is how it should be. And I know what you mean about thrill.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Ditto. What eglantine_br said. Children should be encouraged to explore original source material. It brings the past to life and sparks their interest in ways secondary sources rarely can.

And yes, (if you'll forgive the pun) pigeonholing Captain Jack Sparrow as "gay" is rather missing the point!

[latin-cat.livejournal.com]

Write it anyway - or if you'd rather not abuse Johnny Depp, make the researchers do it with Edward Teach!

I sympathise on the aesthetic redevelopment of the NMM and the Caird - I remember it and loved it as a kid, but now it seems sterile and empty - but that attitude to valuing 'proper' researchers... Clearly these 'professional' academics forget that most of the greatest advances in science, medicine and scholarship were made by amateurs.

And as for Beales and Dr. Weir; my humble opinion is that they should have all 74 guns unleashed on them by the ethnic minority-heavy guns crews of Nelson's Navy... which by my calculation would have been about two thirds of the navy of that period. Hell, we're going to need more guns.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Also their wives and gf's at the guns! They might have something to say about their erasure from official history! (I can imagine them, pregnant and very angry.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

re: ethnic diversity in the Navy - I KNOW, right? I do wish the casting directors for Age of Sail movies would take that into account. Patrick O'Brian was good at reflecting it in the books, at least!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Clearly these 'professional' academics forget that most of the greatest advances in science, medicine and scholarship were made by amateurs.
The funny thing is, I don't think many of the gentlemen I quoted above are "professional academics", as in scholars with institutional tenure. I'm pretty sure several of them at least are "amateurs" themselves, which makes their attitude all the more unbelievable.

my humble opinion is that they should have all 74 guns unleashed on them by the ethnic minority-heavy guns crews of Nelson's Navy... which by my calculation would have been about two thirds of the navy of that period. Hell, we're going to need more guns.
Hear hear! Well said!! Perhaps we could recuit the women that Pellew thanked for working the guns at the bombardment of Algiers?

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

Say rather they don't deserve the honour! *G!*

However, Captain Jack Sparrow in that library, for whatever reason, is a very tempting idea. ;)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

They definitely don't deserve the honour of Captain Sparrow's company!

However, Captain Jack Sparrow in that library, for whatever reason, is a very tempting idea.
Knocking over stacks, scattering books left right and centre, disturbing the gentleman scholars... ;)

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

I find it endearingly naive that they think it must only be the pirates that were gay.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Indeed. How very quaint!

[esteven]

*flails and is speechless*
I don't think even Stephen Maturin would have quite that attitude to research.

If theirs had been a RL conversation with me present, they could have heard the dirty laugh of an old woman. Woman, would I have loved that.

Unfortunately, and that's the worst thing, they do not even recognize how racist, sexist and homophobe they sound.

Where's my gun!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Speechless flailing is an entirely appropriate response to such idiots.

Where's my gun!
To paraphrase Hornblower: "They're not worth the powder".

[elin-gregory.livejournal.com]

*sigh* the boys get so upset at the idea of anyone interfering with the rules of the tree house.

I was told recently that the archers at Agincourt were all straight because *facepalm* a 'poofter' wouldn't be strong enough to draw a long bow.

Makes you want to weep doesn't it?

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

You need Gareth Thomas as a resident 'stereotype buster'.

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Ah. the spirit of 'the college next door' is alive and well.

If any of these old codgers turn out to be called Owens, I want photographic evidence.

BTW Spent a delightful hour on Tuesday exploring our old school log books with a spritely 70 something widower who regaled me with tales of Admirals of the fleet serving as school governors and one's rank reflecting how far up the A32 from Gosport one lived!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Ah. the spirit of 'the college next door' is alive and well.
And there was me hoping it was just a figment of your imagination. Sadly not. Grrrrr.....

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

You're absolutely right. Knowledge is power! As some French bloke said :}

The whole attitude that "their" history is more important than other people's history enrages me. And when it's in relation to the history of the RN it's even more infuriating! Which reminds me, I attempted to take a transcript of the rather good tv programme that was on last year on the ethnic make up of Billy Ruffian's crew. I must try and type it up and post it sometime.

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Tuesday lunchtime the cafe at the National Maritime Museum was packed, and about 1/3 of those present were mothers with tiny babies. I thought it was enchanting, and made friends with the Very Small Person whose highchair was directly behind my chair.

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

Yes when I was there the other week the cafe was simialrly packed - which is excellent - so much so that I think Admiral Lord Exmouth is going to do a Commendatore and come to life and demand to be stationed pointing to it rather than the small French coffee bar = partly because it has taken away all the small people who used to play around his statue- he would tear into the snobs who are down on the women and children for starters.

I think it is great that it is already so popular - true the new libarary is a bit sterile in appeaanace and the old one has resonance but it also had very little facility for current research methods - and Mr Davies encomium for the space at the national archives suggets to me he has never had to balance a lap top on the tiny bit of desk that is left after you have one of the ADM12 index and digest volumes in use = they are the biggets books I have ever seen anywhere

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

I think they are sabre rattling becuase they know their days are doomed -and cannot quite take it all in poor things.

Like my fellow fangirl and naval historian
anteros_lmc I find this all worth an occasional rant.. but instead here is a story of a actual moment in an archive

I remember a day in a south London archive a few years ago- a wet half term. Three children whose family background turned out to be from the Caribbean came in and asked were they allowed in here to look round= 'because there is nothing else round here to do for free',Cue scowls on the faces of the - admittedly mixed ethnically -researchers.

However the archivist on duty explained that they were welcome if they were quiet and obeyed the rules about considering other users.He then asked them where they lived and when they told him the name of a council estate nearby talked to them all about the area and gradually went and got more and more documents out, explaining about the last world war demolishing the Victorian houses and then getting out Booths poverty map and showing them what the victorian streets must have been like and so on.He spent an hour with them eventually getting out a medieval manor roll on sewn sheets of vellum - and the three kids were absolutely spell bound especially the oldest who was asking lots of intelligent questions.

after they had gone there was actually a slight round of applause from some of us in the library. The archivist, a very quiet scholarly sort of man looked embarrassed but pleased.

I had visions of a young social historian standing up in some symposium in say Paris or Strasbourg or Edinburgh in 10 or 15 years time and giving her first post -doctoral paper and thinking of how it all started one rainy day when the archivist at Southwark demonstrated just why he was the right man for his job ...

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

What a lovely story! We need more of that.