Sir Julian Corbett (1854-1922) was a pioneer in the development of modern naval strategy. His ideas helped to shape the navy's reforms and remain required reading today. Educated at Marlborough College and Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a man of independent means and came to naval history later in his career. He lectured at the British Naval War College, advised the Admiralty on strategy and served as secretary to the Cabinet Historical Office. He wrote the official history of the Great War Naval operations and was knighted in 1917. Andrew Lambert is Laughton Professor of Naval History, King's College London, UK.