Captain Richard Martin Woodman LVO (10 March 1944 – 2 October 2024) was an English novelist and naval historian who retired in 1997 from a 37-year nautical career, mainly working for Trinity House, to write full-time.

Biography

Woodman was born in London, England on 10 March 1944, to Douglas and Rosalie Woodman. His father worked in both local government and police administration. Richard Woodman died from cancer on 2 October 2024, at the age of 80.

Writing

His main work is 14 novels about the career of Nathaniel Drinkwater, and shorter series about James Dunbar and William Kite, but he also has written a range of factual books about 18th century and WW2 history. These include a trilogy of studies of convoys in the Second World War and a five volume history of the British Merchant Navy. Unlike many other modern naval historical novelists, such as C.S. Forester or Patrick O'Brian, he has served afloat. He went to sea at the age of sixteen as an indentured midshipman and has spent eleven years in command. His experience ranged from cargo-liners to ocean weather ships and specialist support vessels as well as yachts, square-riggers, and trawlers. Woodman was a regular correspondent for the shipping newspaper Lloyd's List and continued his close association with the sea as a keen yachtsman. He also served on the Corporate Board of Trinity House. He won several awards including the Society for Nautical Research's Anderson Medal in 2005 and the Marine Society's Harmer Award in 1978.

Honours

Woodman was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 2014 New Year Honours for his services to Trinity House.

Books

Nathaniel Drinkwater series

William Kite trilogy

James Dunbar novels

Kit Faulkner novels

Other fiction

Non-fiction