Like many a celebrated figure, he seemed to see himself in the third person, as if the celebrity were a separate individual from himself.

Doctors agreed to agonising procedures in the hope they might be the ones to cure such a celebrated figure.

Despite the fact he lacked formal training in botany, he became a celebrated figure in the field of paleobotany.

Within a few months of his return, two years later, he was one of the most celebrated figures of his age.

Together, we have spent many hours over the past year sifting through these pictures, talking and sharing intimate stories about some of the most celebrated figures of the 20th century.