All measures of greatness are subjective, unlike sporting events (for example, anyone can easily see that you hit 60 home runs or you hit only 20; same in golf: the score you posted is the gold standard and you either won or lost). How then to measure greatness? Whatever measure you use for Lincoln doesn't apply to other presidents as he's the only one who saved the union.<br /><br />In any written text, the author is entitled to his/her opinion. If you think B is the greatest composer, then he is...to you. Others will dispute this in favor of their own greatest composer (e.g. Bach). It's always a debate with intagibles (greatness, heroism, most influential).<br /><br />Greatness is hard to quantify. For example, Lee is regarded as a great general but he lost his only&nbsp;war.<br /><br />Cheers.