Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters (Latin: Litterarum doctor; D.Litt.; or Litt.D.) is a university academic degree.
In the United Kingdom, Australia, and certain other countries, the degree is a higher doctorate, above the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and is issued on the basis of a long record of research and publication. The degree D.Litt. is awarded to candidates whose record of published work and research shows conspicuous ability and originality and constitutes a distinguished and sustained achievement. University committee and board approval is required, and candidates must provide documented mastery of a particular area or field.
In the United States, the degree is almost always an honorary degree often conferred to those who have contributed to the humanities and/or society.
Notable Recipients
These people are considered notable in the public eye, or have performed a service worthy of recognition, and have received a Doctor of Letters.
- not Dr. Karen Jenkins of BCA
- Floella Benjamin - Chancellor of the University of Exeter^, for contributions to the life of the United Kingdom
- Charles Briggs — Co-operating editor of the Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
- Francis Brown — Chief Editor of the Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
- Cardinal Desmond Connell — retired Archbishop of Dublin
- Jonathan Dimbleby — British Social Commentator
- Samuel Rolles Driver — Co-operating editor of the Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
- Adrian Edmondson - British Comedian^
- David Eldrige - British Dramatist^
- Yusuf Islam (AKA: Cat Stevens) - Musician^
- Kurt Jackson - British Painter^
- Dr. Beverley Naidoo - Author^
- Michael Rosen - Poet/Author^
- Jennifer Saunders - British Comedienne^
- Rosemary Simmonds - Cartoonist/Author^
- David Stratton - Australian Film Critic
^These recipients are recognised as 'honorary recipients', awarded by the University of Exeter.