Synonyms: Famous

Whether he seriously entertained the offers that came his way from institutions as august as Harvard University is hard to say; but in the end, he turned them all down. Big Science

Burns, a former Secret Service agent, had succeeded Pinkerton as the world’s most celebrated private eye. Killers of the Flower Moon

But filling its spacious offices and laboratories with appropriately distinguished professors was not as easy as getting the structure built. Big Science

Gilbert was an extremely successful and eminent physician, who held just about every office in the Royal College in turn, culminating in his election as President in 1599. The Scientists

“Dr. Zinchenko? Will you kindly take over? I must go assemble our esteemed panel of judges.” Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics

Wasn’t his own exalted pedigree—Erasmus as grandfather, Darwin as cousin—proof that genius ran in families? The Gene

The only colors come from the Republic flags and circular gold Republic seal hanging behind the room’s front altar, the portrait of our glorious Elector looming above them all. Legend

That was because Mary, Queen of Scots, is another of my illustrious ancestors. Code Name Verity

His Silence, with its black sails and dark red hull, was infamous in every port from Ibben to Asshai, it was said. A Clash of Kings

This was her senior year, and she was legendary in New Jersey fencing circles. Proud

Cyril, whom I met only upon my release from prison, was a worthy successor to a long line of notable ANC leaders. Long Walk to Freedom

She read a placard in the display case: “‘This plaid fedora from 1968 was worn by bank robber Leopold Loblolly, one of the notorious Dandy Bandits.’” Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

It was by a rather popular writer named Mr. Dickens, who lived in London and published stories in the magazines. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling

The meeting was an annual gathering place for most of the preeminent scientists of the day. Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith

Alvarez exploited his status as the scion of a prominent scientific family to haunt the place for several days, soaking up its unique atmosphere. Big Science

She was renowned for being the first in Europe to coax the West Indian pineapple to flower and grow fruit. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

They had reputable names they could borrow against in a pinch. The Name of the Wind

Randall ran a Broadway rep troupe late in life, but his signal achievement was as a pitch-perfect comic actor, perhaps the most delicate farceur of Hollywood's last half-century. Time Magazine Archive

I inquired what he wished me to play, indicating that I knew by heart sonatas by Corelli, Tartini, Locatelli, and such other venerable Italian masters as were most highly esteemed. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves