Biography
Michael E Leek MA MPhil(RCA) CertEd FRSA AFRHistS
Born in London, Michael trained as a technical Illustrator at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design. Later, as a mature student, he completed an MA, with Merit, at Middlesex University (Visual Arts Practice, Education and Management). This was followed by a history-based MPhil at the internationally prestigious and exclusively post-grad Royal College of Art (Information Illustration: Developments through Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding, c1586-1901), for which he was awarded a scholarship. He also completed a CertEd in Further and Higher Education at Bournemouth University (achieved with Distinction).
He's been a member of the Society for Nautical Research (SNR) since 1968. The SNR, founded in 1910, is the oldest maritime history society in the world. He is currently a member of the Society's Maritime Heritage Committee, and has written extensively for The Mariner's Mirror, the international journal of the SNR. (The Mariner's Mirror is ranked as an ERIH Plus journal by the European Reference Index for the Humanities).
He is also an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (AFRHistS). He was elected primarily for the design, research and studio direction of maritime heritage projects in the UK, Åland, Sicily and Sweden, and for the design and management of similar projects for the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the Science Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the National Railway Museum, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the Institute of Marine Engineers and the former Maritime Trust, etc. Other associations include Life-Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), member of the Navy Records Society (NRS), the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and, more recently, the 1805 Club.
Historical research interests are merchant and naval sail, marine painting, ships draughts and ship models. Through these interests in maritime history and as an occasional ship model maker, he was appointed Assistant Editor of the international quarterly journal Model Shipwright and the annual Shipwright.
After a period in professional practice in Britain, The Netherlands and Germany, he entered design education at the Arts University Bournemouth, becoming Head of the School of Illustration. After Bournemouth he was appointed Director of Studies at the internationally renowned Cordwainers College in East London, until its demise due to gross financial mismanagement! He has held other senior posts in visual arts and design education, including five years as a visiting lecturer at Mälardalen University, Sweden.
A former civilian sea-going member of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNXS), he served on Fleet Tenders, former Ham-class inshore minesweepers and Archer-class P2000 patrol boats. (The RNXS was disbanded following the end of the Cold War.)
He now lives in Scotland, with his wife Kristan.
He's been a member of the Society for Nautical Research (SNR) since 1968. The SNR, founded in 1910, is the oldest maritime history society in the world. He is currently a member of the Society's Maritime Heritage Committee, and has written extensively for The Mariner's Mirror, the international journal of the SNR. (The Mariner's Mirror is ranked as an ERIH Plus journal by the European Reference Index for the Humanities).
He is also an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (AFRHistS). He was elected primarily for the design, research and studio direction of maritime heritage projects in the UK, Åland, Sicily and Sweden, and for the design and management of similar projects for the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the Science Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the National Railway Museum, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the Institute of Marine Engineers and the former Maritime Trust, etc. Other associations include Life-Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), member of the Navy Records Society (NRS), the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and, more recently, the 1805 Club.
Historical research interests are merchant and naval sail, marine painting, ships draughts and ship models. Through these interests in maritime history and as an occasional ship model maker, he was appointed Assistant Editor of the international quarterly journal Model Shipwright and the annual Shipwright.
After a period in professional practice in Britain, The Netherlands and Germany, he entered design education at the Arts University Bournemouth, becoming Head of the School of Illustration. After Bournemouth he was appointed Director of Studies at the internationally renowned Cordwainers College in East London, until its demise due to gross financial mismanagement! He has held other senior posts in visual arts and design education, including five years as a visiting lecturer at Mälardalen University, Sweden.
A former civilian sea-going member of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNXS), he served on Fleet Tenders, former Ham-class inshore minesweepers and Archer-class P2000 patrol boats. (The RNXS was disbanded following the end of the Cold War.)
He now lives in Scotland, with his wife Kristan.