Does anyone know the correct etiquette when it comes to use of the term Doctor and marriage.?
My father was a well respected scientist with a PhD, he remarried and died a few years ago. His second wife also an academic but only to Masters level not doctorate, now incorporates his title and his middle name into her name. So for example If my father's name was Dr. Ian Lloyd Smith she now calls herself Dr. Joan Lloyd Smith. It irks me to see but I wonder if this is acceptable use?
As I know, that is not correct. She is still Mrs Joan Smith. In formal letters addressed to both it would be Dr and Mrs Smith. Or Dr and Mrs Ian Lloyd Smith.
How old is this Lady? That would probably make a big difference - it may be a generational thing, I think it was more common when the wife was expected to give up her career (if she even had one) and stay home once she got married. The social status acquired through getting married to an academic was conveyed by using the title in her name - although I would say she would have to call herself Mrs Dr. Ian Lloyd Smith in your example rather than just incorrectly taking the title...
Hm, I have some old family friends who are quite traditional, and when the wife writes a letter (yes, they still write letters), she writes on the envelope Mrs C R Jones. (C and R are both her husband's initials...). I find it bizzare. Perhaps if he had an academic title she would naturally use that too, since she is adopting the rest of his name.
PostgraduateForum Is a trading name of FindAUniversity Ltd
FindAUniversity Ltd, 77 Sidney St, Sheffield, S1 4RG, UK. Tel +44 (0) 114 268 4940 Fax: +44 (0) 114 268 5766
An active and supportive community.
Support and advice from your peers.
Your postgraduate questions answered.
Use your experience to help others.
Enter your email address below to get started with your forum account
Enter your username below to login to your account
An email has been sent to your email account along with instructions on how to reset your password. If you do not recieve your email, or have any futher problems accessing your account, then please contact our customer support.
or continue as guest
To ensure all features on our website work properly, your computer, tablet or mobile needs to accept cookies. Our cookies don’t store your personal information, but provide us with anonymous information about use of the website and help us recognise you so we can offer you services more relevant to you. For more information please read our privacy policy
Agree Agree