Edgar Rice Burroughs: How He Went From Snake Oil Peddler to Late-Blooming Media Mogul
Edgar Rice Burroughs was a rich kid who failed at every venture he started—until he created a wild man named Tarzan.
Overcame Adversity
Susan Boyle: How She Triumphed Over Bullies and Naysayers at Age 48
Susan Boyle made a difficult entrance into the world and life remained hard for her—until that magical night in 2009 when her voice captivated the world.
Ben Franklin: The Septuagenarian Who Helped Birth a Nation
He was a printer, statesman, activist, inventor, and diplomat. By 26, he was a best-selling author. Yet it didn’t pursue his true passion until his 70s when he helped found the United States.
Liz Smith: “I’ve never considered a facelift because I earn my living by looking old”
Liz Smith (not the gossip columnist) is a beloved English character actor who got her first break at age 50 and went on to co-star with Johnny Depp and Patrick Stewart.
Penelope Fitzgerald: England’s Most Famous Unknown Author Started Writing in Her 50s
The Guardian UK has called Fitzgerald “one of the finest British novelists of the last century.” She started writing in her late 50s and won the Booker Prize at age 63.
Alex Haley: His Inspiring Journey from College Dropout to Pulitzer Prizewinner
Alex Haley took a meandering route to his calling. He dropped out of college to join the Coast Guard and honed his writing skills at Playboy magazine before publishing Roots at age 56.