Dylan to receive honorary degree
Music legend Bob Dylan is to be awarded an honorary degree by a British university, it was announced today.
He will be made a Doctor of Music by the University of St Andrews at this year’s summer graduations.
The 63-year-old American will accept his degree while in Scotland to play two shows in Glasgow.
Today St Andrews principal and vice-chancellor Dr Brian Lang said the university was delighted to honour the star.
“Bob Dylan is an iconic figure for the 20th century, particularly for those of us whose formative years were the 1960s and 70s,” he said.
“His songs, and in particular his lyrics, are still part of our consciousness. We are very pleased to take this opportunity of honouring such a major artist.”
Dylan is considered to be one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
His rock, country, folk and blues sounds and political lyrics made him a poetic spokesman for the 60s generation and inspired musicians around the world for over four decades.
His songs have been studied by a number of academic critics, including Neil Corcoran, professor of English Literature at St Andrews.
Prof Corcoran, who edited a 2002 collection of essays on Dylan, Do You Mr Jones?, will give Dylan’s laureation address at the ceremony on July 23.
This will be only the second time the singer has accepted an honorary degree. The other was from Princeton University in 1970.
