Capitalising titles?

Not with individuals, unless, as you note, it is being used as part of a formal name:

Sir Algernon was a knight.

Sir Algernon belonged to the Knights Templar.

caw

Two possibilities:

Formal title: Along the path rode Knight Algernon.

Informal: Along the path rode the knight Algernon.

However, I don't recall ever coming across the usage of "Knight" in this fashion. Knights are generally referred to as "Sir ".

caw

I agree with blacbird. You capitalize knight if it's formal/apart of someone's name, though "sir" is more commonly used. On that note, you'd also capitalize "Sir" if it's apart of the name - Sir Bob

I've been grappling with this question. GrammarBook says these capitalizations are correct:

Will you take my temperature, Doctor?
We're sorry to report, Captain, that we're headed for choppy waters.

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... because they're formal titles used in direct address. If that's right, then Merethe Walther's example:

Ah, princess, you’re looking lovely today.

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... would be incorrect, right? Surely "Princess" is at least as formal a title as "Doctor" or "Captain."

I have a character in my fantasy novel who is Historian Rhou, but I received feedback on the following:

Thank you, Historian.

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... that the title "Historian" shouldn't be capitalized.

Huh? Whazzat? Oh, my pounding head!

Can anyone give a definitive answer on this? In the final stages of revision, I really want to get this stuff right before showing it to others.

The thing with Fantasy, llawrence, is that it will use names and forms of address that aren't as closely tied to standard usage that people say you 'must' *cough* adhere to. I mean, it's always author/editor/publisher house diecretion with any genre, and it will be guided by whatever standard form you agree to, but with fantasy in particular, if you need that title capitalised with direct address, then it's your choice as the author to capitalise it, as fantasy will work with new ranks, new standard rules etc, a lot like sci-fi. You just need to be able to explain to any editor why you'd like to retain the capital. But until you get it seen by an editor, too, I'd just be consistant with which ever way you choose to use it within direct address.

llawrence said:

I've been grappling with this question. GrammarBook says these capitalizations are correct:



... because they're formal titles used in direct address. If that's right, then Merethe Walther's example:



... would be incorrect, right? Surely "Princess" is at least as formal a title as "Doctor" or "Captain."

I have a character in my fantasy novel who is Historian Rhou, but I received feedback on the following:



... that the title "Historian" shouldn't be capitalized.

Huh? Whazzat? Oh, my pounding head!

Can anyone give a definitive answer on this? In the final stages of revision, I really want to get this stuff right before showing it to others.

Click to expand...

Your source is correct, but not for the reason of respect. The reason for capitalization is direct address. Names, references by title, and terms of endearment are capitalized in direct address.
"He's my dad" versus "Hi, Dad."
"Yes, Princess. It's my honor to serve a princess."
"Aye, aye, Captain," said the lieutenant.

In fact, most US publications do not capitalize these two common terms of respect even in direct address:

"Yes, ma'am, I'll mow your lawn for ten dollars."
"I didn't drive the car, sir," said the boy to his father standing next to the dented family Ford.

Fallen, Chase, thank you for your responses. I'll capitalize "Princess" when it's a direct address (or, rather, re-capitalize it... unfortunately I already un-capitalized them all in revision, based on incorrect advice).

The whole historian/Historian thing—I guess I'll decide later which makes the most sense. According to an answer on answers.com, even "librarian" would be capitalized when used as a direct address, so I'd think "historian" would be too.

I'd thought myself reasonably solid on spelling and grammar, but this one's been a conundrum. I appreciate the help!

I think about it if Knight is part of the name then cap if a description then lower case