The Eva G. R. Taylor Lectures were founded in 1959 to mark the occasion of Professor Taylor's 80th birthday. Following an appeal signed by the Presidents of various learned bodies, including the Institute, it was agreed to endow an annual lecture to be presented by a distinguished scholar in any of the branches of learning to which Professor Taylor made such notable contributions. Rear Admiral Ritchie's lecture was presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Institute held in London on 26 October 1966, with the President, Rear Admiral Sir Edmund Irving, K.B.E., C.B., in the Chair.