Capitalizing titles with personal names
Capitalize all official titles of honor and respect when they precede personal names.
PERSONAL TITLES
Mrs. Willa Jones
Ms. Terry Smith
Miss Wilson
Mr. Benedict
EXECUTIVE TITLES:
President John Wilson
Dr. Anderson
CIVIC TITLES:
Governor Samuel Jackson
Ambassador Wilson
MILITARY TITLES:
Colonel Perry Smith
Commander Comerford
RELIGIOUS TITLES:
Rabbi Feldman
Bishop Smith
Sister Mary Margaret
the Reverend William Wilson
Do not capitalize titles when the personal name that follows is an apposition and is set off by commas.
EXCEPTION: Some titles, like that of the President of the United States, are usually capitalized.
Yesterday the governor, Samuel Jackson, spoke at the hospital.
BUT
Yesterday Governor Samuel Jackson spoke at the hospital.
Do not capitalize occupational titles preceding a name.
Occupational titles can be distinguished from official titles in that only official titles can be used with a last name alone. You would not say Author Mailer or Publisher Johnson; therefore, these are not official titles and should not be capitalized unless they're the first word in a sentence.
Author Robin Cook writes great medical thrillers.
If you're looking for a good medical thriller, try author Robin Cook.
Do not capitalize titles of honor and respect when they follow a personal name or are used in place of a personal name. The exception is high-ranking national officials and dignitaries.
John Wilson, president of Wilson Medical, gave a presentation at the conference.
Dr. Jones, emeritus professor of medicine at UCLA, announced his plans to retire at the end of the school year.
Hilary Clinton was appointed Secretary of State by the President.
Capitalize any title when it is used in direct address (i.e., quoted or unquoted speech made directly to another person).
Please tell me, Doctor, what risks are involved with this treatment.
Please advise me, Governor, when we can expect to see this tax increase take place.
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