MOST FAMOUS aspergians?

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Pretty much every character in that strip could be considered an Aspie.

What about Ben Franklin and Leonardo da Vinci?

I also have had thoughts of James Madison and Abrahan Lincoln being at least close to the 'spectrum'.

Mike

In her mother's biography, Eve Curie reports that as a student, Marie Curie couldn't afford to heat her appartment, so she piled chairs onto her bed, supposedly to simulate warmth through the weight. I never thought that made a lot of sense, and now I'm wondering whether it wasn't simply a typical Aspie desire for the comfort of pressure. Also, Albert Einstein is quoted as complaining that on their walks together, Mme. Curie would be so concentrated on the subject under discussion that she didn't notice the birds singing in the trees.

I agree with you regarding da Vinci and Lincoln. Lincoln seemed to have many Aspish traits.

However, I don't know enough about Madison. Franklin was a bon vivant and a real ladies man. I doubt that such social success would mesh with Asperger's Syndrome.

Of the other Founding Fathers of the United States, I would guess that Samuel Adams was probably the one most likely to have had Asperger's Syndrome. He lived a semi-hermetic existence and was described of having few friends and being absorbed in his interests.

Of the former presidents, I believe that the one president with the most autistic traits was Calvin Coolidge. If you ever read about him, you'd understand why. He was taciturn, disliked socializing and loved animals, amongst other traits.

Yeah, as mentioned earlier in the thread maybe Charles Schulz.

MSNBC

Lindsay Lohan.

Just kidding

I don't see the point in making the diagnosis in people that have passed on ,its too hard.

My dad was VERY VERY social and a hardcore aspie. Damon Albarn acts like he hasn't handled his notoriety as well as the Oasis brothers and I think communicating through rendered images is attractive to aspies. I agree with Michael Palin who seems pretty slick.

Another one that came to my mind a day or two ago is George Washington Carver. He lived a basic, simple, almost reclusive life, never married and was absolutely obsessed with his research work in agricultural science, especially with peanuts.

Mike

When people mention someone is "too social" it is apparent they still operate off of the autism/asperger's combined DSM-IV that is completely outdated based on the latest research. Aspies are not anti-social per se. More accurately they are socially awkward. I try to be social (though I really love to be alone). I just mess up a lot. My son, who is autistic, does not like to socialize. My aspie daughters are social...they just mess up because they cannot read social cues and rules and don't seem to have any idea how to socialize.
I think Einstein definitely was, as was Thomas Edison. A great example of Einstein's lack of social understanding is his handling of a duet with the Queen of England. He played a violin duet with her and walked out on her after interrupting the music half way through and very rudely telling her she played too loud. That is a definite faux pas! Also, his obsessions are another sign. There is some value to looking to the past. It aids us in understanding the future.

[quote="MrMacPhisto"]I think after reading a profile Bono might have it. Read his lifestyle away from fame he seems aspie or something like that.[/quote]

Can you give any examples of AS behavior that Bono gives off ?

As for women who might have AS I offer the following:

Courtney Love: Diagnosed as autistic at age 3

Angelina Jolie: her mannerisms and behavior before she divorved Thornton were very Aspieish

Britney Spears: her current way of life seems like possible AS

Feel free to name any other women that I may have overlooked

Mon Oct 08,10:28 AM ET


Ang Lee has tackled English period drama, kung fu and gay cowboy romance. Just don't expect him to make small talk at a dinner party.

The Oscar-winning director says that despite his celebrity, he's extremely shy and struggles with social interaction.

"When I'm off the set, it's hard for me to carry a conversation. That's more difficult for me than making a movie," he said Saturday on CNN's "Talk Asia."

"Making a movie, I have plans in my head. Somehow one way or another I manage to roll the camera and get something in the can. But off the set, at the dining table ... it's still awkward for me," said Lee, a native of Taiwan.

He feels comfortable "momentarily" if the conversation turns to movies, the 52-year-old filmmaker said, but "that's kind of about it.

"It's hard for me to feel comfortable socially," he said. "I'm always shy, it's just part of my character."

Lee won an Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain." His Chinese-language spy thriller "Lust, Caution" won the top Golden Lion prize at this year's Venice Film Festival. His films also include "Hulk," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Sense and Sensibility."

He said being one of the most famous Chinese-speaking directors in the world is a tremendous burden.

"I'd rather be watching somebody else carry the torch," Lee said. "It's an incredible burden on my shoulder. But I'm passionate about making movies, so as far as I'm concerned, that's the duty I have."


Seems Aspie-like to me

OMG everytime I see a photo of Ang Lee with his hand on actress Tang Wei's waist signaling to the world that she is complicit in some degree of intimacy of him I am reminded of Thomas Harris' Manhunter where the reporter gets taken by the killer after being photographed with the policeman who hates the photog but puts his hand on his shoulder as if they are buddy buddy. Aagh!

For someone soo diligent and precise in his filmmaking, why do I find his films sooooo boring. Ever since Wedding Banquet, I have not found this director's work to be my cup of tea at all. He is definitely someone whose success I don't get but a lot of detractors say the same about Wong Kar Wei whom I do like.

Einstein was alive when Dr. Asperger made his observations. I doubt that Dr. Einstein was aware of Dr. Asperger's work, just like Dr. Kanner was not aware of Dr. Asperger's work.

I agree with the concerns about attempting to diagnose dead people, or even living public figures whose status is not known. But in addition to many of those frequently mentioned, I'll add:

Artist Joseph Cornell (almost certainly - read his bio sometime).
Composer/writer/artistic iconoclast John Cage (he was fairly social, but some Aspies are.)
Singer-songwriter Nick Drake.
Composer Anton Webern may have had some tendencies.
Philosopher Gilles Deleuze always struck me as having autistic tendencies.
Morrissey almost certainly.
Prince, perhaps? I've heard some stories about his erratic behavior and obsessive tendencies that make me wonder.
Thom Yorke wouldn't particularly surprise me either way. He is known both for being highly intellectual and a recluse, which could hint at something, but maybe not.

I think we can be as certain about Einstein, Beethoven, Samuel Beckett, Glenn Gould, Henry Darger, and Andy Warhol as we can about anyone who died before diagnosis was possible. (Note that Warhol was extremely social, but I don't think that precludes the possibility.)