Creativity and Self-Esteem in Later Life: Samuel T. Gladding and Beth Martin

C ontrary to prevalent beliefs, much creativity occurs in later life. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe completed Faust at 80, Titian painted masterpieces at 98, Arturo Toscanini conducted at 85, Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote Supreme Court decisions at 90, Thomas Edison worked in his laboratory until he was 84, and Benjamin Franklin helped to frame the U.S. Constitution at 80.