Here's someone who lives up to his name: Bernardo Buontalenti (Good Talents?) was a Florentine who lived in the 16th century. He both was a wonderful artist who built an amazing grotto (with both stalagtites and sheep!) in the Giardino Boboli in Florence and invented gelato -- the wonderful Italian version of ice cream, one flavor of which still bears his name.

I don't know which came first, his name, or his accomplishments!