Kotiuga, P. RobertKotiuga, P. Robert2018-07-182018-07-182010-01-01P Robert Kotiuga. 2010. "Iron Rings, Doctor Honoris Causa Raoul Bott, Carl Herz, and a Hidden Hand." CELEBRATION OF THE MATHEMATICAL LEGACY OF RAOUL BOTT, Volume 50, pp. 17 - 32 (16).https://hdl.handle.net/2144/29977An edited and reformatted version of this paper, with an additional photo, will appear in a volume dedicated to Raoul Bott. The author hopes to expand on some aspects of this preprint in future versions.The degree of Doctor of Sciences, honoris causa, was conferred on Raoul Bott by McGill University in 1987. Much of the work to make this happen was done by Carl Herz. Some of the author's personal recollections of both professors are included, along with some context for the awarding of this degree and ample historical tangents. Some cultural aspects occurring in the addresses are elaborated on, primarily, the Canadian engineer's iron ring. This paper also reprints both the convocation address of Raoul Bott and the presentation of Carl Herz on that occasion.p. 17 - 32Science & technologyPhysical sciencesMathematics, appliedMathematicsAlgebraic topologyArticle