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Doctor James - Winner At Last!

posted by Peter James @ 6:26 AM  

I'm delighted to say that after a recent string of awards for which I have been shortlisted but haven't won, today I am a winner at last! I am receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Brighton -- conferring on me the title Doctor Of Letters. The press release below gives you the full details.

This is undoubtedly the greatest honour of my life -- and it means all the more coming from the home university of the city I was born in, and write about and love so much. I shall be receiving it with extra special glee, as my past academic record has been -- well -- erm -- less than brilliant.... I left Charterhouse in a cloud of ignominy (and hashish smoke) having failed all my science 'O' Level exams -- Physics, Chemistry and Biology, only getting my maths 'O Level' at the third attempt, and just having scraped through with three 'A' Levels all with the lowest Grade you can have -- an 'E'. So I guess I am a living example of my hero Oscar Wilde's dictum, "Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught." !!!!

I'm sad that neither of my parents are still alive to see this. My late father was a very wise man who once told me, when I was trying to make up my mind whether after Charterhouse to go to a tutorial college and try to swat up for Oxford University Entrance, or to go to film school, that of all the colleges in the world, none would teach you as much as the University of Life. I'll raise a glass to you on that today, Dad.


Here's the press release:
Bestselling crime writer Peter James is to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Brighton The award-winning writer and film producer, Peter James, is to become a Doctor of Letters in recognition of his ongoing contribution to the arts and to the status, infrastructure and culture of Brighton and Hove.

Peter, who lives near Lewes, East Sussex, will receive his doctorate from Deputy Vice-Chancellor, David House, on Thursday, July 30, during graduation ceremonies at the Brighton Dome.

Peter, who is 60, said: "I'm really thrilled to be honoured by the university. It has given me an incredible feeling, although I must confess I'm not sure if I deserve it. I was born in Brighton and this has enhanced an already strong bond and love I have for the city."

Peter's publishers Pan Macmillan has agreed to sponsor two academic excellence scholarships, The Peter James Scholarship, to be awarded to the best first and best second year undergraduate students on the BA (Hons) English Language and Literature degree courses for the academic year 2008-09. Geoff Duffield, Group Sales and Marketing Manager for Pan Macmillan, said: "Pan Macmillan is delighted to be sponsoring the Peter James scholarships at the University of Brighton.

"Our sponsorship brings together two great Brighton institutions, both of which are at the heart of the community."

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, David House, said: "We are delighted and grateful to Pan Macmillan for supporting the university in this way. "We are strongly committed to our work in English language and literature and these scholarships, I am sure, will enhance our reputation and provide an incentive and reward to students of excellence."

9 Comments:

  • At 7:57 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Dear Peter,

    Congratulations!! Finally and well-deserved!!

    I'm just on the very last pages of Dead Tomorrow, the showdown at ... (oops, don't want to spoil it for other readers) and thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Have a great day today! Your Swiss Chocolate friend Isabel xxx

     

  • At 8:23 AM , Anonymous Jacqueline Twamley said...

    Dear Peter

    This is wonderful news and of course you deserve it. You have helped to make Brighton famous, (not that it needed much help). Your books really capture the feel of the City and the surrounding areas. I don't know about academic qualifications, as I told you my sum total of qualifications is a CSE grade one in Drama and it hasn't done me any harm but in the career steaks things are a bit weird for me as I chose to support my parents and work in their business which unfortunately it is something I regret. I have done a lot more learning out of school then I ever did in school. But of course I do agree that it is important to get a good start in life. I am sure this award will just be another fantastic chapter in your amazing life. It will help to make Brighton more famous or infamous and of course will help young people further their studies and careers which I think is the most important thing. Yet again you have done something wonderful for your home town. Good luck today with the Ceremony. Take care lots of love Jacqueline Twamley

     

  • At 8:04 PM , Blogger matwil said...

    Nice one, Peter! Glad to read that I wasn't the only one who had several stabs at getting Maths O level! To think nowadays that much of job is reliant on maths and stats knowledge...who'd have thunk it?

    On a purely selfish level, I for one am very pleased you never went for those Oxford University Entrance exams. We wouldn't have had all those books and films then (though you may have gotten to wear a cap and gown I suppose :)

    Matt Williams

     

  • At 10:14 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Your speech was amazing today! Was really nice to have some humour at the event

     

  • At 9:41 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Fabulous news Peter, and great that Pan Macmillan are honouring your name that way. I never would have guessed you didn't do well at school. The "Education of Life" has served you well.

    Linda
    x

     

  • At 10:08 AM , Blogger Peter James said...

    Thank you so much, Anon.

    And thank you Linda. Yep, I guess the Uni of Life came good....! But it never would have done with out wonderful booksellers like you being so supportive.

    All my best

    Peter

     

  • At 11:20 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Dear Dr........CONGRATS

    Did you have the gown and flat hat? What are the Brighton colours? The graduation ceremony can be a bit long. I used to help with the gowning when I worked in a university. Could not beleive how many boys wore gel and laquer. Good to see them all cleaned up and smart lol.

    How many books do you write a year?

    Congrats again.

    from Jane-Mary

     

  • At 6:02 PM , Blogger Peter James said...

    Hi Jane-Mary, I did indeed and you can see the pictures on my blog!

    I normally write one book a year, but have two out in 2010 - a novella in March, "The Perfect Murder" and the new Roy Grace in June.

     

  • At 12:13 PM , Blogger julie said...

    Dear Peter loved Dead Tomorrow. Can we have another book without Roy Grace for a change. Love your books Julie Lawman xxx

     

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