28/2/86
Accept my best felicitation, dear Dr Ramsay, for acquiring the highly honorable distinction of LLD.1 It is meritoriously gained, and I feel sure that you will well sustain it in the long life before you.
With regardful remembrance your
Ferd. von Mueller.
On 26 February 1886, Scottish newspapers (e.g., Dundee courier, 26 February 1886, p. 7) announced that the honorary degree of LLD was conferred upon 'Edward P. Ramsay, Director of Museum, Sydney' by the University of St Andrews. The award was reported in Australian newspapers the following day, e.g. in Melbourne by the Argus, 27 February, p. 11, quoting a special telegram dated 'London Feb. 26'.
Ramsay's ADB biography states that the LLD was awarded in recognition of his part in arranging a bequest to the University from David Berry, but Berry died in 1889 and discussions of the origin of the bequest do not mention Ramsay's playing a part in arranging it: see, for example, 'Munificent gift to the University of St Andrews. A legacy of £100,000', Fife herald(Cupar, Scotland), 13 November 1889, pp. 7-8.
Please cite as “FVM-86-02-28,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/86-02-28