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A presidential legacy: how Jimmy Carter became an Honorary Fellow of LSHTM

Jimmy Carter and Harrison Spencer

Following the recent death of President Jimmy Carter, we take a look back at the memories of his visit to our Keppel Street building in 1999 on the occasion of his Honorary Fellowship.

In 1999, LSHTM made President Carter an Honorary Fellow in recognition of his remarkable contributions to combating tropical diseases, including neglected tropical diseases. His efforts were pivotal in securing massive donations of ivermectin for use as a human anthelmintic (drugs that treat parasitic worm infections) and in spearheading the eradication of Guinea worm disease. 

President Carter was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who was a passionate advocate for mental health and women’s health in the United States.

To fit in with the travel schedule of President Carter, our School set up the Fellowship ceremony in the library on a Sunday. Professor of Tropical Epidemiology, Peter Smith recalls: 

Peter Smith
Professor Peter Smith

“A large number of students and staff attended. Originally the dais [a low platform for a lectern] had been set up in front of the library windows, but President Carter’s Secret Service escort deemed this too high-risk and it was moved further into the library. He started his acceptance speech by reflecting on a conversation he had had with his wife Rosalynn as they had run around Regent’s Park earlier in the morning. Impressive for then 75- and 72-year-olds!”

Together, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter formed an extraordinary partnership, making profound contributions to global health initiatives through the work of the Carter Center. The Fellowship also recognised his contribution to global public health through his leadership in additional initiatives such as the Task Force for Child Survival – “one of the most successful coalitions in global health” – onchocerciasis (river blindness) and trachoma control, and efforts to eradicate lymphatic filariasis.

Inside pages of President Jimmy Carter’s Ceremony of Conferment document
Inside pages of a copy of President Jimmy Carter’s Ceremony of Conferment of Honorary Fellowship document
Front cover of Jimmy Carter’s Ceremony of Conferment of Honorary Fellowship document
Front cover of a copy of President Jimmy Carter’s Ceremony of Conferment of Honorary Fellowship document

With thanks to Peter Smith, Barbara Judge, Brian Furner and the LSHTM Archives team