News

Author Bill Bryson becomes Durham University Chancellor

(4 April 2005)

Durham University has chosen a well-known international author with strong North of England links as its new Chancellor.

Bill Bryson is one of the most popular writers on people and places, science, language and other contemporary issues. He becomes the eleventh Chancellor and formal head of the University, which has 14,600 students and more than 75,000 graduates across the world.

He takes office at a time when the University is increasing its appeal to students from the widest range of backgrounds, investing in its academic strengths and preparing to celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2007.

The appointment, which has immediate effect, is due to be celebrated with special events in the University later in the year. He already holds an honorary doctorate of the University, but in due course he will take on the Chancellor’s traditional scarlet, black and gold robes to confer degrees on behalf of the University and for other special occasions.

The US-born journalist and author, who has lived most of his adult life in England, is best known for his series of books observing life in North America, Britain, Europe and Australia. He sang the praises of the city of Durham in his account of touring around Britain, Notes from a Small Island (1995). He has written about the English language and about poverty in Africa, and won the 2004 Royal Society Aventis Prize for science writing with his encyclopaedic work A Short History of Nearly Everything. Also in 2004 he returned to Durham to receive an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree from the University at one of its ceremonies in the Cathedral.

Vice-Chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman, said: “This is a wonderful cause for celebration. We are absolutely delighted that Bill Bryson has accepted our invitation to be Chancellor. He is a man whose values and vision have so much in common with our own students, staff and graduates.

“We welcomed him to the family of the university by conferring on him an honorary degree, and now we look to him as head of our family. We are confident he will be an inspiring and supportive Chancellor. “

Bill Bryson said: “I could ask for no greater honour. I hope it goes without saying that I will do my utmost to serve the University with credit.”

A Chancellor’s most public role is in conferring degrees at university ceremonies, but the duties can be as varied as the postholder likes, depending on particular interests and the time available. It can involve attending other university events with staff, students or graduates or being an ambassador for the university.

The new Chancellor is also likely to play a part in the University’s regional networking. In Notes from a Small Island (1995) he famously offered readers his car to go and visit Durham. He also lived for a time in North Yorkshire.

Notes for Editors

The new Chancellor was appointed under the University Statutes by Convocation (the body composed of all Durham graduates and current academic and administrative staff) on the recommendation of a Joint Meeting of Senate and Council (the academic and general governing bodies).

The University received 518 suggestions from some 1,800 people. Their proposals included men and women in the business world, politicians, scientists and other academics, writers, broadcasters, leading figures in the arts, theologians, international sports stars and many from other walks of life.

Under new arrangements the Chancellor is appointed for a term of five years, which is renewable.

Most recent Chancellors at Durham were:

- 1992-2004: the writer-actor-director Sir Peter Ustinov, cinema and stage star, novelist and newspaper columnist and broadcaster, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and raconteur

- 1981 – 91: ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn de Arias, who was the supreme British ballet artist for nearly 40 years, and was married to Panamian diplomat Roberto de Arias.

- 1971 – 80: politician and diplomat, the Rt Hon Malcolm MacDonald, son of Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, Dominions Secretary at the time of the Abdication in 1936 and later a leading figure in the transition of several African countries to independence

Media contacts:

Keith Seacroft Head of PR 0191 334 6074 Tom Fennelly PR Officer 0191 334 6078 UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM

Bill Bryson – eleventh Chancellor of the University

A biographical note:

A perceptive observer of people, customs and places, Bill Bryson is an enthusiast for the power of language and the importance of science, a campaigner against poverty and environmental neglect, an admirer of Durham and North East England and a deeply informed traveller of the world. He was appointed Chancellor on 4 April 2005.

Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1951. A backpacking expedition in 1973 brought him to England, where he met his wife and decided to settle. Bill initially worked as a sub-editor on a Bournemouth newspaper, before moving to The Times, becoming chief copy-editor of the business section, and deputy national news editor at The Independent. Living with his growing family in North Yorkshire, he also wrote travel articles to supplement his income. Following the huge UK success of his first travel book The Lost Continent: travels in small town America in 1989, he went on to publish a series of popular travel books. When Bill and his family decided to return to live in the USA in 1995, he chronicled the experience in Notes from a Big Country. The Brysons moved back to the UK in 2003 and now live in Norfolk.

One of Bill’s most famous books, Notes from a Small Island, was voted, in a 2003 poll conducted for World Book Day, as the book that best represented Britain. The famous quote about Durham has cemented a friendship between Bill and the city: "I got off at Durham... and fell in love with it instantly in a serious way. Why, it's wonderful - a perfect little city.... If you have never been to Durham, go there at once. Take my car. It's wonderful."

In 2004, the Royal Society, the UK’s premier science association, awarded Bill the prestigious Aventis Prize for Popular Science. It was for his book A Short History of Nearly Everything, praised by the judges as an “ambitious book [which] will communicate science to the widest possible audience in an intelligent and highly accessible way.” He donated the prize cheque to charity. It was in recognition of his outreach contribution to science plus the promotion of the region that the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Durham nominated Bill for an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree, which was awarded in July 2004.

Bill Bryson is a high profile international figure, famous not only for his books but also involved in promoting cultural and environmental issues.

In October 2002, Bill travelled to Kenya with CARE International, an independent humanitarian organisation working to end world poverty through sustainable development programmes. His resulting book, Bill Bryson's African Diary was published later that year with all royalties and profits going to the charity. So far it has raised over £280,000.

Bill was appointed as a Commissioner for English Heritage in 2003 and is a passionate defender of the organisation’s work to promote understanding and appreciation of historic buildings and landscapes.

In February 2005, Bill launched a call to improve the protection of Britain’s ancient trees and woods alongside The Woodland Trust and the Ancient Tree Forum. The campaign highlights the importance of ancient trees and woods for biodiversity and wildlife and petitions for their preservation though a national planning policy.

4 April 2005