Eminent individuals upped a hawker (4)
I believe the answer is:
spiv
'hawker' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spiv that I've seen before include "Shady salesman" , "Flashy dresser who makes a living by dubious means" , "Non-kosher supplier" , "Timepiece" , "Person living off various dubious schemes" .)