Intellectual lion

[jiho]

Hi all & Happy New Year!!

I think I can guess the broad sense of the expression «Intellectual lion» but,
What is its exact meaning?
Context: just a collection of names of distinguised people of whom the text says they were «Intellectual lions»

Thank You, friends!

[Anglika]

Presumably very famous intellectuals who are important.

[jiho]

Hi Anglika,
That's the general idea i had.

Thank you for your response.