Honorary awards

Sir James Learmonth

The honorary degree of Doctor of Science was conferred upon Sir James Learmonth by the Chancellor Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn at the ceremony held on 23 September 1954.

Sir James was Professor of Surgery and Clinical Surgery in the University of Edinburgh, and was visiting Australia as Sims Commonwealth Travelling Professor for 1954. He was on a lecturing and teaching tour under the auspices of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Above, photo of Sir James Learmonth from 'The Sydney Morning Herald', 24 September 1954, NLA Newspapers.

Later that day, Sir James was guest speaker at the ceremony to commemorate the University's benefactors, which was held on the lawns in front of the Clock Tower, attended by some 1200 people and followed by a garden party.