2005 - Toni Morrison Receives Honorary Degree from Oxford University

On May 27, 2005, Toni Morrison became one of the few African Americans to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University. The recognition of her literary genius by one of the world’s oldest institutions reflected Morrison’s global influence as a writer, scholar, and cultural critic. Known for masterpieces like Beloved and Song of Solomon, Morrison’s work elevated Black narratives within mainstream literature and academia. The Oxford honor, bestowed on May 27, was more than symbolic—it confirmed the universality of her storytelling and the intellectual depth of Black literary tradition. Her presence in that hallowed space challenged the Eurocentric canon and expanded it to include the depth, trauma, and beauty of Black life. This milestone is celebrated in literary and cultural circles as a validation of diasporic Black voices at the highest academic levels.