Rav Elazar Shach (January 1, 1899 - November 2, 2001) never sought recognition. He needed no other joy than that of studying and teaching Torah, and until the age of 70 he did nothing else. Eventually his greatness shown through, and he became the Rosh Yeshiva of the Ponevezh Yeshiva and a leader and guide to thousands.
Rav Shach was available whenever a Jew anywhere in the world needed his advice. He became the guide of Orthodox Jewry around the world because the community sought his guidance. He was neither elected nor appointed. An entire community simply knew, as if intuitively, that he was now their shepherd.
You may be interested in this picture of Rav Shach:
Rav Shach's biography is available from Feldheim.