36. Ludwig von Beethoven
Few musical composers evoke the notoriety of Ludwig von Beethoven, whose very name is synonymous with musical greatness. His ability to translate feeling into music has led to him being thought of as the greatest composer of all time. He met Mozart as a young man and Joseph Haydn ‘discovered’ him. Both men recognized that his musical genius would set him apart for centuries. Beethoven began going deaf in adulthood, and he composed his most remarkable works while either partially or completely deaf. He never heard a note of some of these pieces. However, they have outlived him as signs that beautiful people can accomplish great things despite disabilities.