Paul Griffiths, of Manorbier, has been elected a foreign honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an honorary society that recognises excellence in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities.

It was established in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the American revolution by John Adams, John Hancock and other 'founding fathers'.

In the words of the Academy's charter, enacted in 1780, the 'end and design of the institution is...to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honour, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.'

There are 4,000 American fellows and 600 foreign honorary members.

Other foreign honorary members elected this year include Helen Mirren, Leonard Cohen and Nobel literature prize-winner Mario Vargas Llosa.

Among the new US members are Dave Brubeck, Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Butler, discoverer of over 330 planets.

The new class will be inducted at a ceremony at the academy's headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in October.

Paul, who became a member of the Welsh Academy in 2008, has two honorary academic affiliations, both at Oxford University; one with Christ Church and one with the music faculty.