DOCTOR, a term meaning teacher, or in structor, applied by the ancient Romans to those who delivered public lectures upon philosophical subjects. In the Middle Ages, from the 12th century, it came into use as a title of honor borne by men of great learning, as by Thomas Aquinas (Doctor Angelicus), Duns Scotus (Doctor Subtilis), Roger Bacon (Doctor Mira bilis), Bonaventura (Doctor Seraphicus) and other distinguished schoolmen. It was first made an academical title at the University of Bologna, in Italy, which received from the emperor the right of appointing doctores legurn (doctor of laws). The University of Paris fol lowed in 1145. Soon after the popes granted the universities the right of appointing doctores catsonum et decretalium (teachers of the canon law) ; and when the study of the civil law came to be combined with that of the canon law, the title was changed to doctor utriusque juris (that is, teacher of both laws). The faculties- of theology and medicine followed that of law in conferring this title. In the universities of Ger many the title of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is that which regularly corresponds to M.A. in Great Britain and in America, the philosophical faculty corresponding to the faculty of arts. The degree of Bachelor is subordinate to that of Master and Doctor. The degree of Doctor is either conferred publicly, with certain cere monies, or by diploma. In many cases it is
merely an honorary degree, in other cases it is conferred after examination or when the per son receiving it has presented a sufficient thesis on a subject connected with the branch of study to which the degree distinctively belongs. In Great Britain and the United States the degrees of D.D. (Doctor of Divinity), LL.D. (Doctor of Laws) and M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) have long been conferred, the first two being generally honorary. At some of the universities the degrees of D.Lit. (Doctor of Literature) and D.Sc. (Doctor of Science) have been in stituted in comparatively recent times, at some also that of D.Phil. (Doctor of Philosophy). The degree of Doctor of Music is conferred at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin, London and Edinburgh. The degree may be honorary or conferred after examination. See UNIVERSITY; DEGREE, ACADEMIC; and consult the authorities there referred to; consult also Denifle,. (Die Universitaten des Mittelalters bis 1400' (Berlin 1885) ; Rashdall, of Europe in the Middle Ages' (Oxford 1895). Curious accounts of the revelry attending the ceremony of conferring degrees at Oxford will be found in Anthony a Wood's and Antiquities of the University of Oxford' (Lon don 1796).