Degrees, History of

Irnerius, the cele- brated jurist, is said to have introduced the degree of Doctor into the universities. The first ceremony of this kind was performed at Bologna, on the person of Bulgarus, in the year 1130, who began to profess the Roman law, and on that occasion was promoted to the doctorate. The custom was soon transferred from the faculty of law to that of theology; and Peter Lombard is the first doctor in sacred theology upon record in the university of Paris. Ancient English writers hold the venerable Bede to have been the first doctor of Cambridge, and John de Beverley at Oxford; the latter died in 712.

But Spelman thinks there was no title or degree in England till about the year 1207. John Hambois is supposed to be the first musician who was honored with the title of doctor in England. Holinshed, in his “Chronicles,” tells us—‘John Hambois was an excellent musician, and for his notable cunning therein he was made a doctor of music.” Loaring.