It is a wonderful honour to be asked to give the R.I. Harris Lecture. R.I Harris is a genuine Canadian hero. He was recognized as being a leader throughout his career, having been the gold medalist in his medical school, decorated twice for overseas service and rapidly rising to be one of the founders of modern orthopaedics, not just in our country, but world wide. He was directly responsible for the first combined meeting, was instrumental in establishing the ABC traveling fellowship, was a key to the creation of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, and participated in almost all of the activities which serve as the foundation of today's orthopaedic surgery. In addition, a part of his legacy was his son, W.R. Harris, who also served as president of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association.