The file relates to the award from the University of Brussels of an Honorary Doctorate originally scheduled to be given on 22 Oct. 1954 and Associate Member of the Belgian Committee for the History of Sciences, Brussels, 7 Nov. 1960.

Joseph Needham was not conferred with the degree on 22 Oct. 1954 due to his role in the International Scientific Commission on the use of bacteriological weapons during the Korean War. The ceremony was re-scheduled for 11 Dec. 1954, and that is the date given on his Honorary Degree certificate.

The file contains correspondence and administrative papers relating to the awards. It includes correspondence with Jean Brachet and a letter from Dorothy Needham to Joseph Needham, 9 Dec. 1954. Also 9 black and white photographs of Joseph Needham, Dorothy Needham, Jean Brachet and others found in an envelope labelled ‘Photos lunch Jean Brachet’s lab 21st Oct. 1954’.