World-renowned historian Sir Ian Kershaw is to be presented with an honorary doctorate in his home town of Oldham.
The 70-year-old, widely acknowledged as an expert on Hitler and Nazism, will receive the degree from the University of Huddersfield at the University Campus Oldham on July 16.
Sir Ian, who comes from a working class family in the town, is the author of numerous books but is perhaps best known for his comprehensive two-volume biography of Adolph Hitler.
On receiving news of his award, Sir Ian said: “I’m delighted and most gratified to receive this honorary degree from the University of Huddersfield, quite especially because it will be awarded in Oldham, my home town which I have always held in great affection.
“What my working-class family, themselves deprived of any chance of a good education, would make of me receiving an honorary degree in the town, I don’t know! But I owe it to my parents that I could benefit from opportunities that they themselves could never experience.”
Debbie Bridge, assistant principal of UCO, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Sir Ian and his family to our UCO graduation ceremony in July, and to honour his many achievements. Sir Ian’s story is an inspiration to UCO’s graduates and guests.”
He is a fellow of the British Academy and the Royal Historical Society. He has also won a number of literary prizes including the prestigious Wolfson Prize for history in 2001.
He taught modern history at the University of Manchester as well as at Sheffield and Nottingham before retiring in 2008.
He was awarded a knighthood in 2002 for services to history.
An honorary doctorate will also be awarded to Cyril Brandford, in recognition of his contribution to the education of many thousands of young people as Governor of Oldham College and Chair, for the last 10 years, of the College Corporation.
Picture courtesy of Das Blaue Sofa Club Bertelsmann via Flickr CC, with thanks.
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