20 Historical Figures You Didn’t Know Had Bizarre Habits
Throughout history, there have been countless fascinating figures who have shaped our world in various ways. However, what many people don’t realize is that some of these historical figures had some rather bizarre habits that are not commonly known. From odd eating habits to strange sleeping patterns, here are 20 historical figures you didn’t know had bizarre habits.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous French military leader and emperor, had a bizarre habit of taking a cold bath every morning. He believed that this practice helped to invigorate his body and mind, and even had a special bathtub designed for this purpose.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s founding fathers, had a fascination with air baths. He would often spend time sitting naked in front of an open window, believing that exposure to fresh air was essential for good health.
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I of England was known for her love of sugar. She would consume vast amounts of sweet treats every day, including marzipan, candied fruit, and sugar sculptures. In fact, it is said that her teeth were so badly decayed by the time of her death that they had to be removed.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had a habit of constantly tapping his foot and making strange noises while he worked. He would also jump up and down in excitement when he was pleased with a particular piece of music.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch painter known for his vibrant, colorful artworks, had a strange habit of eating yellow paint. He believed that the color yellow had a positive effect on his mood and would often consume small quantities of paint to lift his spirits.
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin, the English naturalist famous for his theory of evolution, had a strange habit of collecting and classifying various objects, including seashells, fossils, and bird feathers. He would spend hours studying and categorizing these items, often to the detriment of his other work.
Marie Curie
Marie Curie, the Polish-born physicist and chemist, had a habit of carrying test tubes full of radioactive substances in her pocket. She would often use these test tubes in her experiments, exposing herself to dangerous levels of radiation in the process.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein, the famous physicist and mathematician, had a habit of not wearing socks. He believed that socks were a needless hassle and would often go without them, even in cold weather.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria of England had a bizarre habit of carrying a slice of bread with her wherever she went. She would use it to feed the birds in the park or to give to any beggars she encountered on the street.
Ernest Hemingway
The American author Ernest Hemingway had a habit of writing standing up. He believed that this practice helped him to think more clearly and write more effectively, and even had a special standing desk designed for this purpose.
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud, the Austrian psychoanalyst and founder of psychoanalysis, had a habit of smoking up to 20 cigars a day. He believed that smoking helped him to think more clearly and even prescribed cigars to some of his patients as a form of therapy.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens, the famous English author, had a habit of rearranging the furniture in his house every time he finished a new book. He believed that this helped him to clear his mind and start fresh with each new project.
Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven, the German composer, had a strange habit of pouring cold water over his head before he composed. He believed that this practice helped to stimulate his brain and increase his focus.
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer, had a habit of counting his steps and performing various mental calculations as he walked. He believed that this practice helped to keep his mind sharp and focused.
Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton, the English mathematician and physicist, had a strange habit of inserting a metal probe into his eye socket and pressing down on his eyeball. He believed that this practice helped to stimulate his optic nerve and improve his vision.
Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf, the English writer and feminist, had a habit of writing in a garden shed. She believed that the solitude and quiet of the shed helped her to focus on her writing and produce her best work.
Michelangelo
Michelangelo, the Italian Renaissance artist and sculptor, had a habit of working in his bed. He would often draw and sculpt while lying down, using pillows to prop up his head and hands.
Pythagoras
Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher and mathematician, had a strange habit of avoiding beans. He believed that beans were a form of evil and would not eat them or allow his followers to eat them.
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe, the American writer and poet, had a habit of writing while lying down on a sofa. He believed that this position helped him to think more clearly and creatively.
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the French Revolution, had a bizarre habit of collecting miniature animals. She had a menagerie of tiny animals, including dogs, cows, and even a giraffe, that she kept in her private apartments.
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These 20 historical figures may have had some unusual habits, but their contributions to history and culture cannot be denied. Whether it was through their art, science, or political leadership, each of these figures left their mark on the world in their own unique way, and their legacies continue to inspire and fascinate us today.
