Celebrity historian Dan Snow will give a talk at the Merseyside Maritime Museum this month as part of the Battle of the Atlantic commemorations.

The popular TV presenter – son of broadcaster Peter Snow and son-in-law of the Duke of Westminster – will talk about Liverpool’s pivotal role in the campaign at sea with a lecture on Saturday May 25th from 2-3pm.

Mr Snow has appeared in many popular history-related programmes for the BBC and is the ‘History Hunter’ for The One Show. His talk will take place in the theatre on the fourth floor of the museum. The event is free.

It’s part of an exciting celebration as Liverpool is gearing up for a massive four‑day commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic from May 24-28. Around 25 warships will arrive in the city from around the globe including Canada, Germany, Italy, Russia and USA.

Waterfront and city centre activities include a cathedral service, veterans’ parade, a band concert by Her Majesty’s Royal Marines at the Philharmonic Hall, a 40s themed party at St George’s Hall, a fly past and a James Bond-style display involving the Royal Marines. The museum’s very own Brocklebank tugboat will also play a part.

Merseyside Maritime Museum has a gallery dedicated to the Battle of the Atlantic which tells the story of the longest and one of the most crucial campaigns of the Second World War. Visitors will discover the vital role played by the Merchant Navy in keeping Britain alive in those dark days.

Ian Murphy, deputy director of the museum, said: ‘This should be a very special weekend not just for the city but for the nation. Liverpool’s story is central to the Battle of the Atlantic story. Liverpool was Britain’s most important wartime port and so many Liverpool families were involved. We are thrilled that Dan Snow is visiting and we have a host of activities at the Museum for all the family during this weekend that’s not to be missed.’

Writing in a special blog on the museum’s website Dan, who married criminologist Lady Edwina Grosvenor, the second daughter of the 6th Duke of Westminster in November 2010, said: ‘It is extremely exciting to be coming to Liverpool to mark the official anniversary of a desperate and hugely important battle that raged from the first day of the war to the last. The Battle of the Atlantic was nothing less than a long running attritional struggle for national survival.’

For full details about Dan Snow’s talk and the exhibitions and events visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/riverfestival.