Historic figures who loafed in their twenties (late bloomers)?

[DerekG]

I have no delusions of grandeur, mind you; it's just that, as a recent college grad who headlines as wanderer in the proverbial wilderness, I'd find some measure of solace in hearing about an artist or politico who took some time in finding his/her calling.

Needless to say, I find Kazazankis's Christ to be an immensely appealing creation.

[DerekG]

1. That's it, I'm kicking this up

Spoiler threads suck.

[leftofthedial]

2. most writers don't have much to say until they've "wasted" their 20's

Didn't Einstein underachieve as a young man?

[Pool Hall Ace]

3. You might want to check out this response from Uncle Phaedrus.

Someone asked Uncle Phaedrus that question. Here is his response:

You might want to have your students check the library for this book:

Brendan Gill has been on the staff of the New Yorker magazine for sixty years. In his book "Late Bloomers" he tells the stories of several high achievers who didn't come into their own until late in life.

Famous High School drop-outs (from the "Book of Lists"):

Photographer Richard Avedon
Actress Ellen Burstyn
George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury
Newsman John Chancellor
Newsman Peter Jennings
Actor Cary Grant
Billy Joel, singer & Composer
British Prime Minister John Major
Herman Melville, author of "Moby Dick"
Author Leon Uris

Here's the linky: http://www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/m020301.htm