More Modern Day Renaissance People
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
- Robert A. Heinlein, from his novel "Time Enough for Love"
When I first began this blog, one of my first articles was titled, "Modern Day Renaissance People." One of the people that I find most fascinating in history is Leonardo da Vinci, and I've always liked the idea of the Renaissance person. So one of my first blog articles was on people that could perhaps be considered Renaissance people in the modern era. The people I originally included were Story Musgrave, Brian May, Tavi Gevinson, and James Franco. Here's a list of a few more.
1. Rosco Lee Browne
The late Browne is probably best known for his acting career. He acted for theater, film, and television in a career that spanned decades. His best known for his roles in the John Wayne film "The Cowboys" and the sitcom "The Cosby Show."
But even before Browne began his acting career, he lead a very full life. Like many of his generation, he served in World War II. He studied and earned degrees from several universities, and then eventually taught at Lincoln University. The subjects he taught included French, English, and literature. Browne was also a runner, winning two Amateur Athletic Union 1,000-yard national indoor championships. And before deciding to become a full-time actor, he also sold wine for the Schenley Import Corporation.
2. John Carpenter
John Carpenter is best known as a filmmaker. Some of his best known films include "Halloween," "Escape from New York," "The Thing," "Christine," and "Big Trouble in Little China."
Carpenter is also musically talented. Along with writing and directing many films, he has also often worked as the composer for them. More recently he's focused more on his music rather than on film, having released multiple albums.
3. Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is definitely known as an iconic actor, perhaps best known for portraying Rocky and Rambo. He's also known for writing many of the screenplays for the movies he has starred in, including the first "Rocky" movie (for which he was nominated for both Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay) and occasionally working behind the camera as a director.
As if being an actor, writer, and director wasn't enough, Stallone is also an artist. He's had multiple exhibitions around the world, including France. He actually once said, "I think I'm a much better painter than an actor. It's much more personal and I'm allowed to just do what I want to do."
4. Nell Irvin Painter
Painter has worked in academia for years as a historian and professor. She earned her Ph.D. from Harvard and taught at Princeton for years. She's written several critically acclaimed history books, including but not limited to "Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol" and "The History of White People."
Earlier in her life Painter had actually dreamed of becoming a professional artist, but decided for various reasons to go into academia instead. When she retired from Princeton Painter actually went back to school, going to both the Mason Gross School of the Arts and the Rhode Island School of Design. After earning her MFA, Painter not only had her work exhibited in art galleries, but also wrote a book about her art school experiences titled "Old in Art School."
5. Dr. Susan Finkbeiner
Finkbeiner both studies pretty butterflies and wears pretty dresses for a living.
Dr. Susan Finkbeiner earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California. She works as an entomologist and has often trekked in the rainforests of South America to study exotic and beautiful butterflies.
A friend of hers actually suggested that she try modeling. Finkbeiner decided to try it out and soon found herself walking runways during London fashion weeks when she's not exploring the South American rainforests.
- Robert A. Heinlein, from his novel "Time Enough for Love"
When I first began this blog, one of my first articles was titled, "Modern Day Renaissance People." One of the people that I find most fascinating in history is Leonardo da Vinci, and I've always liked the idea of the Renaissance person. So one of my first blog articles was on people that could perhaps be considered Renaissance people in the modern era. The people I originally included were Story Musgrave, Brian May, Tavi Gevinson, and James Franco. Here's a list of a few more.
1. Rosco Lee Browne
The late Browne is probably best known for his acting career. He acted for theater, film, and television in a career that spanned decades. His best known for his roles in the John Wayne film "The Cowboys" and the sitcom "The Cosby Show."
But even before Browne began his acting career, he lead a very full life. Like many of his generation, he served in World War II. He studied and earned degrees from several universities, and then eventually taught at Lincoln University. The subjects he taught included French, English, and literature. Browne was also a runner, winning two Amateur Athletic Union 1,000-yard national indoor championships. And before deciding to become a full-time actor, he also sold wine for the Schenley Import Corporation.
2. John Carpenter
John Carpenter is best known as a filmmaker. Some of his best known films include "Halloween," "Escape from New York," "The Thing," "Christine," and "Big Trouble in Little China."
Carpenter is also musically talented. Along with writing and directing many films, he has also often worked as the composer for them. More recently he's focused more on his music rather than on film, having released multiple albums.
3. Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is definitely known as an iconic actor, perhaps best known for portraying Rocky and Rambo. He's also known for writing many of the screenplays for the movies he has starred in, including the first "Rocky" movie (for which he was nominated for both Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay) and occasionally working behind the camera as a director.
As if being an actor, writer, and director wasn't enough, Stallone is also an artist. He's had multiple exhibitions around the world, including France. He actually once said, "I think I'm a much better painter than an actor. It's much more personal and I'm allowed to just do what I want to do."
4. Nell Irvin Painter
Painter has worked in academia for years as a historian and professor. She earned her Ph.D. from Harvard and taught at Princeton for years. She's written several critically acclaimed history books, including but not limited to "Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol" and "The History of White People."
Earlier in her life Painter had actually dreamed of becoming a professional artist, but decided for various reasons to go into academia instead. When she retired from Princeton Painter actually went back to school, going to both the Mason Gross School of the Arts and the Rhode Island School of Design. After earning her MFA, Painter not only had her work exhibited in art galleries, but also wrote a book about her art school experiences titled "Old in Art School."
5. Dr. Susan Finkbeiner
Finkbeiner both studies pretty butterflies and wears pretty dresses for a living.
Dr. Susan Finkbeiner earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California. She works as an entomologist and has often trekked in the rainforests of South America to study exotic and beautiful butterflies.
A friend of hers actually suggested that she try modeling. Finkbeiner decided to try it out and soon found herself walking runways during London fashion weeks when she's not exploring the South American rainforests.
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