I was going to raise an eyebrow about "historic figure," but on second thought there is surely an uncontroversial sense in which that's true: featured in an account of history. Plus the controversial sense, in which I at first thought you might be displaying the "courage of your convictions" (a phrase I associate with https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=851993378785401).
It was amazing to see the answer (dry land!) without spending 40 days and nights staring at the grid and clues... as has been the case for me with some extra diabolical metas lately. Thanks for bringing the rainbows back, Capn!
Thanks, Wayne. I wish I could take credit for that one, but I merely selected it from Crosshare's clue list. I do think it's a great clue, however, and the answer contained "ARK" as a hidden Easter egg.