The Liverpool School of Maritime History

Peter Davies joined the Department of Economics (later redesignated as Economic History) at the University of Liverpool in October 1958 and, apart from several periods in Japan, remained there successively as an undergraduate, postgraduate, member of staff, Head of Department and, currently, Emeritus Professor. He is thus in an excellent position to provide an account of the so-called "Liverpool School," which included such distinguished scholars as Francis Hyde, John Harris and Sheila Marriner. As he a "fully paid-up member of the group," he can therefore discuss the origins of its interest in maritime topics and its subsequent concentration on the business history of a number of major, largely Liverpool-based, liner shipping firms. The paper also includes background information on the national study of shipping and on the activities of the port of Liverpool and its trades. It also discusses the School's members and makes reference to their publications, both individually and collectively. The essay suggests that although the original scholars in the Liverpool School have not been replaced, other developments have ensured that maritime economic history continues as a key interest at the University of Liverpool.