Thanks for your reply and for linking to further material. Here to learn.
My intuition is that there is greater virtue to be found in the anonymous responsible man than in any historical figure since the filter to make it into historical literature (heroic prowess, so to speak) is often murderous imposition of one’s will on others. History, as it is too often recounted, is the History of States, and of those who have been most and least capable of wielding its power. And I am a Historian myself.
In any case I think we can reconcile admiration for bold, strong, heroic individuals with warranted skepticism and criticism of abuses of power.