Capitalization: Titles Preceding And Following Names

Formal titles which precede or follow names are capitalized. These titles can refer to a job, a position in society, etc.

The father’s name is Robert Smith Senior, and the son’s name is Robert Smith Junior.

When Angela was caught smoking in the bathroom at school, both Father Michael and Mother Superior came down on her like a ton of bricks.

My favorite professor is Professor McKendrick.

Adults should be addressed as Mr. _ or Mrs._, not by their first names.

The hunting book was written by Messrs. Brighton and Clare, Esquires.

Ensure that the title is capitalized but the job or position is not.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the queen of England.

The title Queen is capitalized, but the position queen is left in the lower case.

Mr. Collins was principal of the high school from 1973-1985.

Sir Lancelot was a knight in King Arthur’s court.