Melbourne Rare Book Week: Lloyd’s Register of Shipping: shaping global shipping for four centuries.

Recognised as one of the most important books in maritime history, the Register was forged in Edward Lloyd’s London coffee house in 1760. Together with its system of ship classification, it informs shipowners, underwriters and mariners about the condition of vessels they insure or charter and has led to greater safety at sea. The Register has become so large that it is no longer printed and has transitioned to digital format, remaining a vital resource.

Dr Liz Rushen AM is a historian and serves on the Editorial Board of the Australian Dictionary of Biography. She is also a Director of the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network. Liz has spent many years researching and writing about the lives of nineteenth-century migrants. In 2021, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her contribution to community history and heritage preservation.

Presented by Rare Books Melbourne in partnership with The Melbourne Athenaeum Library.

Tuesday 28 July 2026
Doors open at 6pm for a 6:30pm start.
This event is free for members and for non-members.
Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link