Joanne Rowling's Doctorates

[Ivan Vablatsky]

Shaun Hately <drednort at alphalink.com.au> wrote: 

Something I've looked into, mainly because this became an issue here a couple of years 
ago when our Governor-General mentioned he intended to use the title 'Doctor' after 
being awarded an Honourary Doctorate. [...]
Anyway, I looked into this - practice varies from country to country. In the UK, it is 
*generally* not customary to use the title Doctor if all a person possesses is an 
Honourary Doctorate.The US is generally more flexible, but it depends on the type of 
doctorates. Honorary Doctors of Divinity quite often use the title.

But there's one overriding issue here, and that is *UNLESS* the person possessing the 
Honourary Doctorate chooses to use the title Doctor, the issue does not arise at all. If 
JKR chose to describe herself as Doctor Rowling that might have some legitimacy - but 
unless she chooses to use it, it is a definite breach of etiquette for anyone else to 
describe her in that way. It's discourteous to assign to an honourand an honourific they 
do not use themselves. If they choose to use it, the issue as to whether they should or 
not arises - but if they do not, there is no dispute.

(Sometimes having gone to a school that insisted you learn the rules of etiquette can be 
useful).

Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately
 
My answer:
 
Yes I accept that the person's own choice is the overriding issue. I have gone straight to the horse's mouth (well, as near as you can get) and asked JKR's agent how JKR wishes to be addressed. I quote my email and Christopgher Little's answer in full:
-----Original Message-----
From: Ivan Vablatsky [mailto:ibotsjfvxfst at yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: 13 May 2003 12:45
To: Christopher Little
Subject:  Dr Rowling?



Dear Mr Little,

We're having difficulties deciding what exactly is J K Rowling's proper title. Some of us think it's Doctor Rowling, others say her Doctorates are only honorary and so she can't be called Dr Rowling.  It all boils down to what she herself prefers to be called, as we all agree.

Would you be kind enough to let us know by what title she wishes to be addressed?

If you would take a minute to asnwer this email I'd be very grateful.

Yours sincerely,

Hans Rieuwers,

Haarlem,

Netherlands

J K Rowling O.B.E.

                      




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