A world-leading University of Birmingham Shakespeare academic has received a knighthood in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Sir Stanley Wells, Professor Emeritus of Shakespeare Studies, was director of the University’s internationally renowned Shakespeare Institute based in Stratford-upon-Avon from 1987 to 1997, and has devoted much of his working life to the study of the Bard.

Sir Stanley, aged 86, who is also honorary president of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said he was delighted by news of the honour, for ‘services to scholarship’, which comes in the 400th anniversary year of Shakespeare’s death.

Professor Michael Dobson, Director of the Shakespeare Institute, commented: ‘Everyone at the Shakespeare Institute is thrilled that the most eminent member of our research community has at last been granted the knighthood his services to the study and appreciation of Shakespeare have so long deserved.

‘Sir Stanley’s contribution to the Shakespeare Institute have been lifelong: he studied for his PhD here, served for many years as a Fellow, and later – after a secondment to Oxford to edit the ground-breaking Oxford edition of Shakespeare -- became Director. It was under Sir Stanley’s leadership that the Shakespeare Institute acquired its superb Johnson Library here at Mason Croft, thereby re-establishing itself permanently in Stratford.

‘Though now based at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Sir Stanley remains a regular guest teacher on the Institute’s MA courses and a frequent attendee at our famous Thursday seminars. We are prouder of him than ever.’

A senior technical manager at the University’s Institute of Biomedical Research, receives the British Empire Medal.

Mr Alan Murdoch, who joined the University’s Anatomy Department as a trainee technician in June 1976 at the age of 19 and worked his up to his present position is recognised for services to medical education and research.

In 2003, when the Department of Anatomy moved to the University’s Institute of Biomedical Research, he took up the role of senior technical manager. However, he continued to oversee the anatomy teaching facilities as part of his job.

His nomination acknowledged the 40 years he has spent being involved in both teaching and research within the department, supporting thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students who have studied anatomy as part of their University course.

Mr Murdoch commented: ‘I couldn’t believe it when I received the letter. To say I am delighted to have been given this honour would be an understatement. I have been very fortunate to have worked with some great colleagues over the last 40 years and a lot of credit has to go to them because without their help and support I would not have received this award.’

Congratulations also go to Professor Celia Moss, University of Birmingham Honorary Professor and Consultant in Paediatric Dermatology, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, who receives the OBE for services to Paediatric Dermatology; Professor Colin John Warbrick, Emeritus Professor of Law at the University, who becomes Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services to international law; and to Birmingham alumnus Terry Morgan, non-executive Chairman of CrossRail Ltd, who receives a knighthood for services to industry.