Dr Basil Greenhill and Ann Giffard.

Thanks to a donation from the late Dr Basil Greenhill and his widow, Ann Giffard, the University has been able to set up a scholarship to support the travel and subsistence expenses for an overseas research trip to be undertaken by a maritime history PhD student.

The bursary is worth £1,700 this year and will benefit the student's doctoral work and enhance the University's profile in the wider world.

Leading Figure

Basil Greenhill died in April 2003. For the last 50 years he was a leading figure in the study of maritime history. In 1967 he was appointed as Director of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. During the 16 years he spent in this post, the NMM emerged as a 'centre of excellence' in the study of marine archaeology, maritime history and museology.

On retiring from the NMM, Dr Greenhill devoted himself to promoting the study of maritime history in the UK university sector.

He and Ann Giffard have been tireless supporters of the University of Hull's maritime history centre, which they have regarded as the leading unit of its kind in Europe. They have willed their extensive library (4,500+ volumes) and collection of marine paintings and artefacts to the University. These will form the basis of the specialist maritime history library at Blaydes House, Hull ­ the refurbished 18th century building that now accommodates the University's Maritime Historical Studies Centre. The couple also sponsored one of the rooms in Blaydes House for £10,000.

Dr Greenhill influenced the development of maritime history teaching and research at Hull by advising on the scope and content of modules, by lecturing at the University, and by advising research students on his regular visits to Hull.

He was a trustee of the Maritime History Trust set up to administer the University's maritime history initiative.

His outstanding contribution to that initiative was recognised in February 2002 when the University awarded him an honorary doctorate.

Ann Giffard has worked extensively in the field of maritime history over the past 40 years. She has published a number of works on North Atlantic emigration and women at sea, and has also written various books and articles in collaboration with Basil Greenhill.