Enlarge imageLONDON (Reuters) - Iconic folk-rock singer Bob Dylan has collected an honorary degree from Scotland’s St Andrews University -- only the second time he has accepted such an accolade in his 40-year career.
The 63-year-old American who penned such classics as "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Mr Tambourine Man" was made a Doctor of Music.
Dylan’s other honorary degree, from Princeton University, was awarded in 1970 at a time when his anti-establishment songs had made him a firm favourite amongst students.
Neil Corcoran, Professor of English at St Andrews, told BBC Radio: "We are very honoured and flattered that he should be doing this for us."
The university wanted to honour Dylan for his outstanding contribution to musical and literary culture, he said.
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"He is a supremely interesting and significant figure in modern culture, akin to Pablo Picasso in many ways -- his staying power, his resilience, the metamorphoses of a very long career..."
Corcoran added Dylan had an ongoing interest in Scotland, demonstrated by one of his more recent songs, "Highlands", which quotes Scotland’s best-loved poet Robert Burns.
"Certainly he is interested in Scottish culture -- Scottish border ballads and folk songs were influential on his melodies earlier on and of course there is this Burns connection with this terrific song," he said.
