The names of the three people listed below (two real, one fictional),  have something in common that has nothing to do with their individual accomplishments. What is it?

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
MARGARET THATCHER
DASHIELL HAMMETT

HINT:
It has to do with their fist names.

Answer:

Each person has a first name that can reasonably be associated with a nickname. That nickname can be followed by BOARD to make a new word:

BILLBOARD
PEG BOARD
DASHBOARD 

Credit: Joseph Appel