I think it depends as well on the purpose of study.  

Do we want to study people whose lives illustrate or illuminate important larger themes?

Or do we want to study people whose lives are in moral, civic, or intellectual fashions exemplary?

Surely the answer to both questions is "yes."

All best,
Kevin

---- Original message ----
>Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 17:23:16 -0400
>From: "Hardin, David" <[log in to unmask]>  
>Subject: Define "great"  
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>  Perhaps it would be helpful to define the title
>  "great."  Is there any way to come to a genral
>  agreement about what constitues greatness?  Surely
>  there must be more to it than being born to it,
>  acheiving it, or having it thrust upon one.
>
>________________________________
>
>Dr. David S. Hardin
>Assistant Professor of Geography
>Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
>Longwood University
>Farmville, Virginia 23909
>Phone: (434) 395-2581
>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>********************
>"For as Geography without History
>seemeth a carkasse without motion,
>so History without Geography
>wandreth as a Vagrant without a
>certaine habitation."
>John Smith, 1627
>
>
>  ---- Original message ----
>
>    Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 16:45:27 EDT
>    From: Basil Forest <[log in to unmask]>
>    Subject: Re: VA homeschooling & SOL
>    To: [log in to unmask]
>
>    >I also like Tom Wolf the author, one of the
>    greatest in the 20th century.
>    >
>    >Maggie Walker's husband was shot and killed by
>    their son, who was later shot
>    >himself during a bank robbery. I don't think
>    someone with such a
>    >dysfunctional family life should be "celebrated"
>    as a great Virginian. The most
>    >significant thing she did was start a bank for
>    Negroes in Richmond, which is racist
>    >in and of itself.
>    >
>    >Doug Wilder is also a bad choice due to his
>    personal life, and the fact he
>    >did nothing of note while governor of Virginia.
>    >
>    >How about Bill "Bojangles" Robinson? Who can
>    forget his tap dancing in the
>    >"Littlest Rebel" with Shirley Temple.
>    >
>    >
>    >
>    >
>    >
>    >************************************** See what's
>    free at http://www.aol.com.
Kevin R. Hardwick, Ph.D.
Department of History
James Madison University