It is a tragedy how often people buy into the myth that our cognitive abilities inevitably diminish once we are in middle age.
If you are of over a ‘certain age you might enjoy this encouraging list from Psychology Today.
- Leo Tolstoy learned to ride a bicycle at 67.
- Queen Victoria began learning Hindustani at 68.
- Giuseppe Verdi was still composing operas in his 80’s.
- Somerset Maugham wrote his last book at 84.
- Frank Lloyd Wright designed his last building at 89.
- In their 90’s, Robert Frost was writing poems and George Bernard Shaw was writing plays. Georgia O’Keefe was painting pictures, and Pablo Casals was playing cello.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes was still dominating the Supreme Court until he retired at 91.
- Linus Pauling (chemist) was actively publishing just before his death at 93.
Leopold Stokowski (conductor) recorded 20 albums in his 90’s and signed a six-year contract at 96.
