A&M to give Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin honorary degree

Photo: Benjamin Wermund "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin prepares to speak at...

Texas A&M University is set to give "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin the latest link in his maester's chain this week, as the school offers up an honorary degree to the author.

Martin has a long history with A&M, which has been home to his writings since long before his books were picked up by HBO.

Martin, who calls himself a pack rat, regularly sends copies of just about everything he's written, produced or been given, from games and calendars based on the series to replica swords and war hammers, to Texas A&M University's Cushing Memorial Library and Archives. The library boasts a world-renowned sci-fi and fantasy collection and Martin's works are its crown jewel.

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Martin last year gave A&M a first-edition copy of "The Hobbit," saying at the time that the Cushing library has one of the best science fiction and fantasy collections in the nation. The author acknowledged that A&M -- "a place where people shout 'yeehaw' a lot, and of course lately (was) known for Johnny Football" -- might seem like a strange place for such a collection.

"But of course we know that it's known for more than that," Martin said. "This collection, particularly of sci-fi and fantasy ... it's probably one of the three best in the country. It's pretty amazing."

A&M regents are set to give the OK to award Martin an honorary degree at their meeting on Wednesday.