[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

We must remember that Turin was saved from death by his doom. The curse kept him alive, or so I think.

Hurin didn't have a choice in sitting on that chair that's true. But he NEVER crumbled. He endured. Could anyone else have lasted that long? That's what makes Hurin so very, very special.

The interesting point raised in the case for Beren is that possibly any old guy-next-door could have claimed a Silmaril if he had Luthien for a partner. And like Turin, Beren's doom kept him going.

This aspect of doom concerns me, so like many others on this (excellent) thread, I will choose Hurin the Elf-friend, son of Galdor, as the Greatest Man of Middle Earth.