468 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
“DOCTOR OF LAWS”
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, who received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Columbia University, New York, on June 5, is seen above with a another receipient. Mr. Wallace Stevens, poet and Insurance Executive from Hartford, Connectieut, who received the honorary degree of Letters.”
(The Times of India, 13-6-1952, with a photograph of Wallace Stevens and Ambedkar).
The citation of this degree of Doctor of Laws is both in Latin and English and it was read out by Hon’ble Grayson Kirk, the then Vice-President and provost of the university. The citation is as follows :
CITATION
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK BHIMRAO RAMJI AMBEDKAR, LL. D.
Born in India and schooled there under heavy hardships : B. A. of the University of Bombay at twenty and for three years a graduate student in this University, receiving the doctorate in political science, subsequently a student of the Inns of Court and the University of London obtaining a doctorate in economics ; for the past three decades as barrister. University professor and member of the legislative council as a framer of the Constitution, member of the cabinet and of the Council of State, one of India’s leading citizens, a great social reformer and a valiant upholder of human rights.
In the exercise of the authority conferred upon me by the Trustees, I gladly admit you to the degree of Doctor of laws, honoris causa, in this University and confer upon you all the rights and privileges which attach thereto, in token whereof I hand you this diploma.
Sd/- Grayson Kirk, June 5,1952 Vice-President and Provost.