When one is awarded one’s degree at the ceremony, in my case in a large tent on the grounds of Bath University, it’s common that some great and good person is given an honorary gong.
It was with great pleasure that Wilfred Thesiger was there to receive an honorary degree of some sort (I say “some sort” because Bath University’s website is wholly unhelpful in the matter).
Sadly, he’s passed away at the age of 93.
I must admit, although I’ve owned a copy of Arabian Sands for years, I never really did read it, and I know that I must.
There are obituaries at the BBC (and here), The Times, Daily Telegraph and The Guardian.