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When I think polymath, Ludwig Wittgenstein comes to mind. He was a successful mechanical engineer, received his PhD in philosophy based on the notebook he kept
by bmj 18y ago
When I think polymath, Ludwig Wittgenstein comes to mind. He was a successful mechanical engineer, received his PhD in philosophy based on the notebook he kept during World War I, taught philosophy, taught grammar school (though, admittedly, that didn't work out so well), and designed a house for his sister.
I'm not trying to belittle others, like PG, who clearly are knowledgeable (and skilled) at many things, but given the genesis of the term, I think the entry bar is pretty high.
- unalone 18y agoPG was the first example I could think of that seemed to fit. I agree: there are people who are certainly more renaissance than him. That was just the first name that came to mind.