THE inside story of Martin Luther King's visit to Newcastle in 1967 to accept an honorary degree is being told for the first time in a special exhibition.

Using unique and, in some cases, never before seen material from Newcastle University’s archives and other sources, ‘To honour a great and good man’, reveals the preparation and planning that took place for Dr King’s visit.

The exhibition, at the university’s Philip Robinson library, looks at what led to Dr King’s nomination for an honorary degree, the build up to the visit and what happened on the day.

It also examines the reaction in Newcastle following his assassination barely six months later, and the legacy of how his visit to the city is remembered.

Geraldine Hunwick, senior archivist in Newcastle University’s Special Collections team, said: “The 50th anniversary of Dr King’s honorary degree has given us a unique opportunity to re-visit this remarkable event. His visit took more than a year to plan, leaving us with a wealth of fascinating material.

“Delving into our archives to present the key artefacts connected to Dr King’s visit has been hugely enjoyable, but also thought-provoking, and I hope visitors to the exhibition will reflect on the significance of this momentous occasion.”

Some of the correspondence included in the exhibition illustrates the anxiety that was felt when, on October 30 1967, Dr King was sent to jail in Alabama and it became uncertain whether he would be able to come to Newcastle.

But, days later office in Atlanta sent a telegram to University staff confirming that he would be able to.

The exhibition on Thursday September 7 and will run until 30 November.