Identity area
Reference code
Hoyle/Box 9/13/25
Unique identifier
GB 275 Hoyle/Box 9/13/25
Title
Photocopy of typescript letter, not signed, from [Joseph Needham], the Master of Gonville and Caius College to Edmund Leach, Provost of King's College
Date(s)
- 5 June 1972 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
3 p. paper
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Electing Stephen Hawking into an Official Fellowship on 14 Mar. 1969, under the Statute which provides for election of 'persons of exceptional distinction in science, literature or art' for terms of six years. This statute provides for an indefinite number of re-elections (each of six years), and the current College Council view this as equivalent to support until retirement age. It had been thought that the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy would be able to support him to some extent, but the college is willing to wholly support him 'as long as he can do his scientific work'. With compliments slip of the Master attached.