I always worry about setting someone up to be my hero because people are so multi faceted and fallible. I would be concerned to claim anyone well known as a hero because someone will always find dirt about them and even if they don't it's a huge burden to put on someone.

I do think that human beings are capable of great heroism though, in groups or individually... and according to their ability too, you know?

Shelley lost his place at Oxford and custody of his children because he wouldn't give up his atheist stance. My Aunt Clara kept her children and raised them alone after being widowed very young, in a world pre welfare state or NHS. Shelley had advantages that ordinary people don't have. People are doing heroic things every day.