Francis Read

for The Tennant Lecture Series

on The Battle of Trafalgar

Wednesday 3 December 2025

Lecture in the EM Forster Theatre at 8pm

Drinks in the Theatre Foyer from 7.15pm

Francis Read is a retired solicitor who took up sailing in his twenties, finding fresh air and endless adventures at weekends an ideal antidote to long hours in the office during the week. He has owned two boats over a period of nearl fifty years and was Vice Commodore of the Royal Thames Yacht Club.  He is also a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

During Lockdown, Francis became interested in the Battle of Trafalgar from a sailing perspective, and in this talk he looks at the political situation in 1805, the capabilities and shortcomings of the ships of the day, Nelson's most unusual strategy, and what actually happened in the Battle. This is a fascinating, well researched and beautifully illustrated talk.

This event is fully accessible.