Professor Tadija Smičiklas - rector magnificus and the first Honorary Doctor of the University of Zagreb

The topic of this paper is Tadija Smi & ccaron;iklas, his time of office as university rector and the award of an honorary doctorate. Tadija Smi & ccaron;iklas is a significant name in the history of the University of Zagreb. In 1882, he became a full professor at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. He was chosen on the basis of his book Poviest hrvatska, which represents the first comprehensive account of Croatian history up to 1848, written on the basis of archival material. He held the position of dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in the academic year 1886/1887, and in the following academic year, 1887/1888, he was elected rector magnificus of the University of Zagreb the fourteenth rector elected. At the inauguration ceremony, his speech featured Ivan Gundulic's poem Osman written by Ivan. The following academic year, according to the established procedure, he was appointed vice-rector. Professor Smi & ccaron;iklas was the first honorary doctor of the University of Zagreb. The proposal for the award was made by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Senate of the University accepted the proposal and, through the Royal Croatian Land Government, asked for permission from the Emperor and King Franz Joseph I, after whom the University of Zagreb was named. A royal decision of October 31, 1913, approved that Smi & ccaron;iklas being granted the title of honorary doctor of philosophy and being presented with a doctoral diploma. The award ceremony, due to the illness of Smi & ccaron;iklas, took place in his apartment in Mesni & ccaron;ka Street on December 20, 1913.