How to Become a Great Biologist

Darwin started his interest in natural history at age 11 and remained interested throughout his adolescence. He had this kind of inner drive but he didn't feel the need to prove to other people that he was special or that he was particularly able. Michael Howe argues for gradual accumulation of knowledge and skills so he wasn't precocious like many geniuses. But by 20 he'd actually decided that he wanted to become a leading naturalist even though their family still thought he was a dawdling directionless young man.