ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I was able to share this story because – while working on an unrelated project – my hand fell on a copy of George Sulivan’s memoir on the shelves of the Cecil H. Green Library at Stanford University. It was a serendipitous discovery possible because Stanford maintained a true research library, full of real books among which one might make discoveries, curated by expert librarians. I am grateful to Stanford’s librarians, all those who support Stanford’s libraries, and dedicated librarians everywhere, especially those who defend that piece of technology – still the best – the book.

I am grateful to the National Maritime Museum archive and their ship model library staff at Chatham, who shared with me and a student a model of the Nymphe as well as many other treasures. The same thanks go to the Museum’s ship plan staff at the Brass Foundry, Woolwich, including the patient and helpful Andrew Choong.

Thanks to the staff of the Yorkminster Archives, the Scottish National Archives, the British Library and their India Office Records library. And thanks to the ILL and other staff at Case Western Reserve’s Kelvin Smith Library.

I am particularly indebted to the staff of the UK National Archives at Kew (still called the Public Record Office when I began researching this book), and grateful that the people of Britain support that exceptional institution so historians and others can try to unravel how things came to be both in Britain and throughout the world.

I am extraordinarily grateful to the Hodson family for granting me the use of George Sulivan’s papers and photos as well as for their warm hospitality. And thanks to Mr J.J. Heath-Caldwell who transcribed a number of unique documents related to his ancestor, Sir Leopold Heath.

Many thanks to the excellent history work of Drs Caroline Shaw, Richard Huzzey, Matthew Hopper, Erik Gilbert, Raymond Howell, and many more scholars, too numerous to mention here in full, but to whom I am nevertheless deeply grateful.

Thanks to my department colleagues and students, including undergraduate Mr Evan Cerne-Iannone and graduate student Mr Sandy Clark.

I am grateful for research funding from the Baker Nord Humanities Center, which has been a generous supporter over the years.

Thank you to John Silbersack, Peter Mayer, Gesche Ipsen, Deborah Blake, and all those with a hand in producing this book.

Thank you to those who have dedicated their work and resources to battling human trafficking.

I am most grateful to my wife and son to whom this book is dedicated.