Hood of the Month

DLitt, Richmond American University London

This hood is unusual as an example of an American-style hood approved for a degree awarded in the United Kingdom.

Richmond, the American International University in London, was first established in 1972 on the site of the former Richmond Theological College; it was a college for Americans studying abroad. Initially, it awarded degrees under United States authority and more recently it was granted taught degree awarding powers by the Privy Council. In 2022, the University moved to a new site at Chiswick Park.

The velvet edging is white, the faculty colour for Arts and Letters in the Intercollegiate Code of Academic Costume (and its successors), applicable in the United States. Black is the standard colour for the cape in that system which ceased effect in 2022 (see Transactions of the Burgon Society vol. 23, p. 13). The lining is unusual in that it is divided vertically between green and blue.

This particular hood was owned by the late Michael Morgan, former Principal of the Froebel Educational Institute, London, who was awarded his honorary Doctor of Literature [sic] degree in 1994.

Photograph by Chris Williams courtesy of the Burgon Society.

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