General Titles

When general titles are used before names, they are capitalized, unless a comma follows, in which case they remain lowercase. Titles are NOT capitalized if they come after a name or if they’re used in place of a name.

Example a: The president* is speaking later today.

Example b: The inauguration of President Obama took place on January 20, 2009.

Example c: The president, Barack Obama, was inaugurated on January 20.

*Note: Some writers choose to capitalize titles for those people high in government ranking out of respect, but this style is going by the wayside. Most modern style guides are in favor of lowercase, with the only exception being Speaker, as in Speaker of the House.

Example a: The treasurer of the class, Katie Smith, raised her hand.

Example b: Treasurer Katie Smith took her place.

However, be aware that official titles are not the same thing as occupations. Occupations should not be capitalized before a full name.

teacher John Smith

author Edgar Allan Poe

actress Sandra Bullock

Note: Sometimes style guides express different opinions. The occupations of professor and manager, for example, are sometimes accepted as titles rather than occupations. However, as a whole, most style guides are in favor of keeping things lowercase, including The Chicago Manual of Style.

Nobility Titles

With medieval terms, many people mistakenly believe that words such as sir, my lady (alternative milady), my lord (alternative milord), and several other similar titles should always capitalized. However, as with the other titles listed, they are only capitalized when used with a name.

Example a: King George depended on his loyal subjects.

Example b: The king’s favorite food was chocolate-covered strawberries.

Example a: Have you seen Sir Lancelot?

Example b: Have you seen him, my good sir?

When a specific location is used with the generic elements (king, queen, prince, duke, duchess, etc.), it permanently extends the generic element as part of the person’s name.

Example: He received a letter from the Prince of Wales.

Military Titles

As with general titles, when used in formal or academic prose, military titles are only capitalized when they precede a person’s name.

Example a: General Michael Smith was recently promoted.

Example b: Michael Smith, the general of the unit, was recently promoted.