20 Talented People Who Only Became Famous After Their Deaths

7. Henry David Thoreau

This world famous philosopher whose political writings have inspired many world leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr and Leo Tolstoy died in 1862. With little money to his name coming from working in a pencil factory and occasional lecturing when he was alive, Henry took to alcoholism after his wife died. He is now praised universally for his unique style and views on nature.

8. Alfred Wegener

The man who made several important discoveries in the field of science, never received the honour he deserved until hard evidence came up to prove his hypotheses decades after his death. A scientist, geologist, and meteorologist, his research focused on continents which were disapproved while he lived, but are now accepted as being brilliant.