u/Hames678

THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOTH GAMES

H/M

Not in the gang, but probably reasonably famous.

• Landon Ricketts:
  • Already famous in the Red Dead Universe
• Eagle Flies
  • Would likely be famous as the leader of one of last significant Native American conflicts in the US, given that he fought against not only the oil company but also the US government.

 

Depends

• Arthur Morgan:
  • On his own, he likely would be a pretty niche historical figure, only really known in relation to his more famous partners. However, if his diary is discovered it could easily become one of the most important primary sources of the 19th century American Frontier, and thus propelling Arthur to fame by proxy. It gives insight into the endeavours of the Van Der Linde Gang (especially the Blackwater Massacre, propelling them to nation wide fame by 1911), so would be immensely valuable to historians. Arthur doesn’t give his name a lot, so things he could potentially be famous for (killing the famous gunslingers, for example) are lost.
• Jack Marston:
  • Would already be notable as the son of John Marston. His fame depends mostly on what he does after the events of the first game. If he goes on to be a successful author, or he is identified as the killer of Edgar Ross, I could see him being a reasonably famous figure.
• Mary Beth Gaskill:
  • Same as Jack Marston, could be a famous writer.

Unknown

• Not much to say here. No significant involvement with the gang, their names are either lost to time or known only as a minor member of the gang.

Obscure

• Likely only known in relation to more famous gang members
• Charles Smith, Abigail Marston and Uncle
  • Known almost exclusively in relation to John (or Jack).
• Josiah Trelawny
  • Again, only in relation to the gang or minor scams/Wall Street investments.
• Susan Grimshaw
  • Known by being a close confidant of Dutch Van Der Linde.

Niche

• Locally famous, or known to those who are quite deep into the subject
• Sadie Adler
  • Likely known more for her bounty hunting than her involvement with the gang, as well as potentially her involvement in the death of Micah Bell.

   

• Lenny Summers and Sean Macguire
  • Again, niche members of the gang. Sean probably more famous than Lenny due to his capture by decently well-known bounty hunter Ike Skelding.

Famous

• These are people who are high ranking members of the gang or became famous in their own right.
• Bill Williamson and Javier Escuella
  • Bill was a well known member of the Van Der Linde Gang, as well as a famous outlaw in his own right. In RDR1, Bonnie seems to only know Bill as the leader of a gang, which suggests his reputation as a leader is more known than his history with Dutch. Both would likely be noted for their involvement in the Blackwater Massacre, the Mexican Revolution and their capture at the hands of John Marston.
• Hosea Matthews
  • Known as second in command of the Van Der Linde Gang, and a well known casualty of the Saint Denis Heist.
• Micah Bell 
  • Similar to Williamson, he was a famous Gunslinger as well as Gang leader. Also killed by John Marston.

Historically Significant

• Dutch Van Der Linde
  • His fame comes from his exploits as leader of the Van Der Linde Gang. Dutch has a large amount of historical significance. He involved or responsible for two of the last major Native American conflicts (The Wapiti Conflict 1899 and the second Van Der Linde Gang 1911), which already makes him important, as well as being involved in the most famous shootouts of the period such as the Blackwater Massacre, the Saint Denis Bank Heist, the Beaver Hollow Shootout and the assassination of Leviticus Cornwall. He is also involved in the Guarman Revolution.
  • I could see Dutch very easily be a romanticised Socialist/Anarchist figure due to his involvement with Native Americans, conflict with the US government and Army as well as his killing of (presumably) well known Wall Street Capitalist Leviticus Cornwall and crime boss Angelo Bronte.
  • He would also be known for his death at the hands of John Marston.
• John Marston
  • The amount of historical accolades held by John Marston is frankly ridiculous. I will list all the events he would probably be known for.
  • The Blackwater Massacre, the Red Meadows Train Heist, the Saint Denis Bank Heist, involvement in the Wapiti Conflict 1899, the Army Bond Heist, the Beaver Hollow Shootout, his significant involvement in the Mexican revolution, his significant involvement in putting down the Native Americans of West Elizabeth, (optional content) involvement in the dismantling of the Laramie, O’Driscoll, Bronte, Walton, Skinner, Bollard Twins and Bandito gangs and the capture and/or killing of: Micah Bell, Javier Escuella, Bill Williamson, Colonel Augustin Allende, Captain Vincent de Santa and Dutch Van Der Linde.
  • He is the only character who has a literal built in fame system to demonstrate how well known he is.