J K Rowling elected to an Honorary Fellowship of Exeter College

At its Governing Body of 17 March 2014, Exeter College elected Ms J K Rowling to an Honorary Fellowship of the College.  Exeter’s statutes lay down that Honorary Fellowships are awarded to “distinguished persons”, and Ms Rowling was elected in recognition of the extraordinary contribution she has made to the field of literature, and in particular to children’s reading and literacy.

This election follows Ms Rowling’s visit to the College in February this year, when she was ‘in conversation’ with Fellow in English, Jeri Johnson, at the Sheldonian Theatre.  On that occasion they discussed ‘Mortality and Morality’ in Ms Rowling’s fiction, from the Harry Potter series to her more recent The Casual Vacancy and her pseudonymous The Cuckoo’s Calling.

The College is delighted Ms Rowling has accepted and is pleased to welcome her to the Fellowship.