Abstract
In the past, eccentricity and genius were often considered to be linked. Suffering and disordered, tumultuous lives were thought to be the essence of genius. Was this a valid concept with a discernible basis? The authors, one an artist and the other a psychiatrist, examine and evaluate this issue in this book. They seek to discover the concomitants that transform a talented individual to one of genius. They examine in detail the lives of four well-known historical figures— Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Vincent van Gogh—and find one common thread, manic-depressive disorder. This, they believe, accounts for their success as men of extraordinary creativity. They also find that these men experienced periods of tumult and chaos and interference with creativity when the disorder was acute. Alcoholism was a prominent complicating factor. Beethoven, for example, used alcohol and opium as self-medication for excessive mood swings. Others, such as
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
