The Governing Body of this College did me the great honour in 1986 of electing me to an Honorary Fellowship to coincide with the creation of a Research Fellowship in Modern and Contemporary Spanish Literature under my patronage. Although Exeter is now in its 675th year of unbroken academic service in educating the young and preparing them for careers in Church and State, the College has been mindful of the rapidly changing needs of society and has introduced the teaching and study of more modern subjects as the University itself has developed. Thus it was one of the pioneers, in the Oxford context, of bringing in teachers of modern languages, especially of Spanish, French, German and Modern Greek, in the early part of this century. Its promotion of science, medicine and engineering has also been remarkable.
The warmth with which the College has always welcomed the holders of King Alfonso’s Chair is a matter of great satisfaction, and it is pleasant to learn that the first holder, the late Don Salvador de Madariaga, is still remembered for the lively debates he originated in the Senior Common Room. If the Fellows of that time were surprised by the range of his intellectual interests, he later revealed that he was amazed by theirs. In this memoirs he commented that:
“…they were self-possessed, sure of themselves, their eyes lit by flashes of wit, humour, everything but surprise. They walked slowly, spoke slowly ant thought slowly; but they knew everything…”.
The second holder of the Chair, William Entwistle, was a famous polymath in Languages, Philology, History and Literature, and his published work became well known and appreciated in Spain.
The third holder is, happily, present with us this evening, and I am delighted to congratulate Professor Russell on his success in being awarded the first Elio Antonio de Nebrija Prize by the University of Salamanca for his long and very distinguished services to Hispanism in the English speaking world.
I am also very pleased that Lady Crowther-Hunt is here with us this evening. It was her husband, the late Rector, who gave his enthusiastic support for the appeal to a new Fellowship in Modern and Contemporary Spanish Literature. I would also like to thank the present Rector of the College for his continuous support to this project, the successful completion of which we are celebrating tonight.
My special thanks go also to Professor Michael, the present holder of King Alfonso’s Chair for his invaluable iniciative and dedication which have been decisive for the creation of this Fellowship. I would like to congratulate the first appointee to the Fellowship, Mr. Stephen Roberts, who has done, among others, interesting studies on the famous Spanish writer and philosopher, Don Miguel de Unamuno.
Homever, the creation of this Fellowship would have not been possible without the Benefactors’ generosity, many of whom are with us tonight and to them I address my sincere gratitude.
Querría agradecer especialmente las generosas contribuciones de algunas empresas españolas con intereses en el Reino Unido y cuyos representantes están con nosotros. También querría mencionar la generosa respuesta de los Ministerios de Asuntos Exteriores, Educación y Ciencia y Cultura, cuya contribución sirvió para completar la dotación necesaria para esta Cátedra.
It has been a special privilege for me to see the various buildings of this ancient College, and the delights of the Fellows Garden, to meet the teachers and undergraduates working in Spanish Studies and to hear a concert given by members of the College surrounded by the pre-Raphaelite glories of the Chapel. It is my earnest hope that the Fellowship that bears my name, and the study of Spanish in this College will not only be maintained, but go from strength to strength in future times.
Floreat Exon.