Cambridge Orations 1982–1993

James Diggle was the official Orator of the University of Cambridge from 1982 to 1993. This book presents a selection of fifty of the Latin speeches which he delivered during those years in praise of a variety of distinguished people on the occasion of their receiving Honorary Degrees. The graduands range from writers (Borges, Gordimer, Ted Hughes, Iris Murdoch) to scientists (Stephen Hawking, James Watson) to musicians (Janet Baker, Jessye Norman) to sculptors (Anthony Caro, Elisabeth Frink) to actors (Alec Guinness) and royalty (the King of Spain), to philosophers (Jacques Derrida) and many others. The speeches themselves, models of wit and verbal dexterity, demonstrating the adaptability of Latin to the expression of modern ideas, are accompanied by English versions of complementary skill. The volume opens with an essay on the history and nature of the office of Orator in Cambridge.