Remembering naval historian James Goldrick

James Goldrick is remembered for both his scholarship and his generosity. He made time for younger historians and encouraged newcomers at naval and maritime history conferences, including through discussions such as Bilge Pumps. At a Greenwich conference, he eased the pressure on a young speaker with a joke about blaming the professor if the talk went badly. The tribute holds that later generations can produce new leading scholars without replacing the distinctive kindness and mentorship of those who have died. This moment shows how the naval-history community sustains itself through encouragement as well as published research.