Readers of this Blog may be interested to note that the University of Edinburgh will tomorrow confer on Professor Laurens Winkel of Rotterdam the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D.). This is not simply because of the international distinction of Professor Winkel, but also because of his ties with the Edinburgh Law School. At the same time, Danie Visser, a noted scholar now at Cape Town, but who studied in Leiden, will be awarded the same degree. Professor Visser also is distinguished in the field of legal history as well as in comparative law.

In Edinburgh degrees are conferred symbolically by the Vice-Chancellor or Chancellor tapping the graduand on the head with a bonnet. In Edinburgh, the legend is that this bonnet was made from the velvet of the breeches of George Buchanan, the distinguished Humanist scholar who tutored James VI, who became that rare thing, an intellectual king writing poetry, philosophy and political theory.

There is a live webcast of the Edinburgh degree ceremonies; this one can be viewed at 15.00 hours British Summer time on Wednesday 3 July  at http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/registry/graduations/ceremony-live-stream

Jul 2, 2013