Foundation Day

Portrait of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
Portrait of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal

Foundation Day is the annual celebration of the grant by William IV of the University’s first charter on 28 November 1836.

The University presented its first honorary degrees in June 1903. Among the recipients were the Prince of Wales (LLD) and the Princess of Wales (DMus), later King George V and Queen Mary.

Since then, this accolade has been bestowed on a wide range of distinguished individuals from both the academic and non-academic worlds. Their names are recorded in the Register of Honorary Degrees. Among the list of famous signatures is Winston Churchill, Judi Dench, T S Eliot, Margot Fonteyn and Henry Moore.

Honorary degrees are approved by the Collegiate Council as set out in Regulation 2, part of the University’s governance structure.

The presentation of a small number of honorary degrees is now an annual event held in the Autumn term. The evening ceremony is held in Senate House and is presided over by the Chancellor of the University, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Foundation Day 2009 took place on Wednesday 25 November. Honorary degrees were conferred on the following eminent individuals:

  • Professor Robert W Fogel  Doctor of Science (Economics)
    Read the citation  [PDF 2pgs, 15KB] by Professor Mary Morgan, Professor of the History of Economics, The London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Nicholas Hytner  Doctor of Literature
    Read the citation  [PDF 3pgs, 19KB] by Professor Gavin Henderson CBE, Principal, The Central School of Speech and Drama
  • Richard Serra  Doctor of Literature
    Read the citation  [PDF 2pgs, 19KB] by Professor Geoffrey Crossick, Warden, Goldsmiths, University of London

View a selection of photos from the evening and order  some for yourself.