I am surprised that Persi Diaconis has not made this list. Persi left formal education at the age of 14 to join a magician on the road. He later returned to to formal education and completed an undergraduate degree at the age of 26.

Thereafter he traveled the more conventional route but it certainly was an formative diversion to Persi considering his later work.

I am surprised that Persi Diaconis has not made this list. Persi left formal education at the age of 14 to join a magician on the road. He later returned to to formal education and completed an undergraduate degree at the age of 26.

Thereafter he traveled the more conventional route but it certainly was a formative diversion to Persi considering his later work.