Most did not recognise his balding, bearded face, despite its frequent appearances on television.

ECONOMIST: South Africa

Just thinking about him with a book in one hand and a huge grin on his white-bearded face made me smile.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Between the Tides'

But the photo is hardly a gotcha: Mr Abramoff's bearded face is barely visible at the back of a crowded room.

ECONOMIST: The presidency

From book festivals and other writers, to fans who only knew his cheery bearded face from the photo at the back of his books, people were quick to respond.

BBC: 'Iain Banks' bad news travels fast'

He smoothed the cover, which showed a neat, bearded man with his face in shadow.

NEWYORKER: After the Movie

The 200 remaining Guatemalan bearded lizards, however, face the possibility of stronger legal protection.

ECONOMIST: Protecting endangered species less could help save them