Doctor of Humane Letters vs. Doctor of Laws vs. Doctor of Letters: What’s the Difference?

Three Similar-Sounding Titles, Three Distinct Honors

When a university confers an honorary doctorate, the specific title it chooses reflects the nature of the recipient’s contribution. The institution is not simply selecting a generic “honorary doctorate” — it is matching the designation to the achievement.

The three degrees discussed here — Doctor of Humane Letters, Doctor of Laws, and Doctor of Letters — are among the most commonly awarded honorary doctoral titles. They are sometimes treated as interchangeable, but they are not. Understanding the differences helps recipients present their honors accurately and helps readers interpret citations correctly.

Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D. or D.H.L.)

The Doctor of Humane Letters — in Latin, Litterarum humanarum doctor — is almost always conferred as an honorary degree. The abbreviation appears as L.H.D. or D.H.L., depending on the institution’s preference [citation:1][citation:2].

What It Recognizes

The Doctor of Humane Letters is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in areas other than science, government, literature, or religion — the domains typically recognized by the Doctor of Science, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, and Doctor of Divinity, respectively [citation:1][citation:10].

In practice, this means the Doctor of Humane Letters often recognizes contributions in humanitarian work, philanthropy, social service, education, and public life. The degree is associated with distinction in what are broadly termed the “humane” pursuits — activities that advance human welfare and cultural understanding [citation:2].

Typical Recipients

Recipients of the Doctor of Humane Letters are often individuals whose work has had a broad humanitarian impact: leaders of charitable organizations, advocates for social justice, educators who have transformed institutions, and public figures whose service has advanced the common good.

Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)

The Doctor of Laws — in Latin, Legum Doctor — is designated by the abbreviation LL.D. The double “L” reflects the Latin plural legum (of laws). The degree exists both as an earned doctorate in some jurisdictions and as an honorary degree, but in the context of honorary recognition, it is one of the most commonly conferred titles [citation:1].

What It Recognizes

As an honorary degree, the Doctor of Laws is conferred upon individuals who have achieved distinction in governance, public service, or the field of law. Chapman University, for example, specifies that its honorary LL.D. is awarded to those who have “achieved distinction in governance or public service or have achieved preeminence in the field of law” [citation:3].

The University of Calgary’s highest academic honor is the Honorary Doctor of Laws, conferred to recognize extraordinary achievement in community, national, or international service. The university notes that contributions may have been made in any field of endeavor, including the arts, business, the professions, scholarly endeavors, and voluntary activities [citation:12].

Regulatory Context

In some jurisdictions, the conferral of an honorary Doctor of Laws is subject to formal regulation. The Legal Education Board of the Philippines, for example, issues guidelines stating that the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa — designated LL.D. (h.c.) — is “an extraordinary academic degree awarded by a legal education institution to an eminent individual of integrity who has distinguished him/herself in the field of law, justice administration, governance, leadership, or public service through outstanding work and/or exemplary service to society” [citation:7].

The Philippine regulations specify that honorees must have at least a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent, and that it is not necessary for the honoree to be a lawyer or law graduate [citation:7]. This reflects a broader principle: the honorary Doctor of Laws recognizes contribution to law-related fields, not necessarily legal practice.

Doctor of Letters (Litt.D. or D.Litt.)

The Doctor of Letters — in Latin, Litterarum doctor — is designated by the abbreviations Litt.D., D.Litt., D. Lit., or Lit. D. This degree occupies a unique position because it exists in two distinct forms: as a higher doctorate earned through published scholarship in some countries, and as an honorary degree in others [citation:4][citation:6].

The Earned Form (Higher Doctorate)

In the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Ireland, and certain other countries, the Doctor of Letters is a higher doctorate — a degree above the PhD. It is awarded on the basis of high achievement in a field or a long record of research and publication. Candidates must demonstrate “conspicuous ability and originality” and “a distinguished and sustained achievement” [citation:6].

At the University of Oxford, for example, the D.Litt. was established in 1900 and required candidates to submit published books or papers containing “an original contribution to the advancement of learning” [citation:6]. The degree remains one of Oxford’s highest academic honors, awarded only after rigorous review by appointed judges.

The Honorary Form

In the United States and many other jurisdictions, the Doctor of Letters is frequently conferred as an honorary degree. When awarded without application by the recipient — that is, without the recipient submitting published work for evaluation — it is awarded honoris causa [citation:4].

As an honorary degree, the D.Litt. is typically conferred on those who have contributed to the humanities or to society through literary, scholarly, or creative work [citation:4]. Missouri State University lists the Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.) as a degree “given to scholars in particular disciplines” [citation:8]. Lakehead University notes that the degree is “considered to be appropriate as a reward for scholarly work of a somewhat restricted nature” and is “usually conferred upon scholars in particular disciplines” [citation:13].

Notable Recipients

Notable recipients of honorary Doctor of Letters degrees include authors such as Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Margaret Atwood, and Robert Frost, as well as public figures like former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice [citation:4].

Direct Comparison: The Three Degrees Side by Side

Why the Distinction Matters

Understanding the differences between these honorary degree types matters for several reasons.

Accurate Representation

When listing an honorary degree on a CV or professional biography, using the correct title and abbreviation ensures accuracy. Confusing L.H.D. with Litt.D., for example, misrepresents the nature of the recognition.

Understanding Institutional Intent

The specific degree a university chooses to confer reflects its assessment of the recipient’s contribution. Knowing what each designation means helps interpret the honor’s significance.

Professional and Regulatory Compliance

As noted in earlier guides on this site, the use of honorary titles is increasingly regulated. Understanding which degree you hold — and what it does and does not represent — is essential for compliant professional presentation.

Avoiding Confusion with Earned Degrees

The Doctor of Letters, in particular, exists as both an earned higher doctorate and an honorary degree. Recipients and observers should be clear about which form applies in any given case.

Frequently Asked Questions