In this year (1862, June 9th) Airy received the Honorary Degree of
LL.D. in the University of Cambridge. He was nominated by the Duke of
Devonshire, as appears from the following letter:
LISMORE CASTLE, IRELAND,
April 19th, 1862.
MY DEAR SIR,
It is proposed according to usage to confer a considerable number of
Honorary Degrees on the occasion of my first visit to Cambridge as
Chancellor of the University.
I hope that you will allow me to include your name in that portion of the list which I have been invited to draw up.
The ceremony is fixed for the 10th of June.
I am, my dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
DEVONSHIRE.
The Astronomer Royal.
* * * * *
Airy's reply was as follows: