*Source of Information: http://www.nald.ca/ldanl/ld_famous.asp*

Famous People with LD
Albert Einstein
Thomas Alva Edison
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Woodrow Wilson
Nelson Rockefeller
Werner Von Braun
Tom Cruise
Bruce Jenner
Harry Andersen
Magic Johnson
Robin Williams
Henry Winkler
Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein did not speak until the age of three. Even as an adult Einstein found that searching for words was laborious. He found school work, especially math, difficult and was unable to express himself in written language. He was thought to be simple minded (retarded), until it was realized that he was able to achieve by visualizing rather than by the use of language. His work on relativity, which revolutionized modern physics, was created in his spare time.

Thomas Alva EdisonThomas Alva Edison was unable to read until he was twelve years old and his writing skills were poor throughout his life.

George WashingtonGeorge Washington was unable to spell throughout his life and his grammar usage was very poor. His brother suggested that perhaps surveying in the backwoods might be an appropriate career for young George.

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson was reported to have many learning difficulties.

Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson President of the USA from 1913-1921 as well as

Nelson RockefellerNelson Rockefeller, Vice President of USA, were both severely dyslexic.

Werner Von BraunWerner Von Braun regularly failed his high school math examinations but was often caught day-dreaming due to his ADD of one day flying to other planets.

Tom CruiseTom Cruise is unable to read even today due to severe dyslexia, he never even finished High School. He has though, the ability to memorize his lines and perform on both the stage and screen

Bruce JennerBruce Jenner (Olympic decathlon champ) barely got through school, diagnosed as a dyslexic (sports gave him better self-esteem) he found that through sports he could hold his head up with friends and feel good about himself.

Harry Andersen (TV actor, played Judge Stone on Night Court) Has ADD and managed to con and charm his way through school he had extraordinary memory and could remember anything at 16. Valedictorian but he could barely read to rehearse his lines.

Magic JohnsonMagic Johnson (basketball player) Has a reading problem, "It's a bad feeling, a lonely feeling" "You've got to take whatever means are necessary to enhance your skills. Then once you've conquered it, once you have met the challenge, teach back and help the next guy, because that is what it is all about"

Robin WilliamsRobin Williams the actor/comedian has been diagnosed with ADHD

Henry WinklerHenry Winkler (actor, director, producer) As a child was called stupid and lazy in the classroom. Bottom 3% in country, in math, he was thought to have ADD, he once said "It is not easy to compete when you have LD, but it is possible."

Other well know people that have had a learning disability
Alexander Graham Bell (inventor)
Walt Disney (founder of Disney)
George Patton (World War II General)
Winston Churchill (former Prime Minister of England)
Whoopi Goldberg (actress)
Dexter Manley (former football star)
Danny Glover (actor)
Gregy Louganis (athlete)
Tracy Gold (actress)
Those either diagnosed or thought to have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
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Albert EinsteinThomas EdisonWinston ChurchillThomas JeffersonWoodrow WilsonGeorge WashingtonNelson RockefellerWerner Von BraunGeorge PattonAlexander Graham BellWalt DisneyJohn F. KennedyHenry FordLeonardo da VinciTom Cruise
Orlando BloomWhoopi GoldbergDanny GloverHarry AndersonHans Christian AndersonHarry BelafonteGeorge BurnsBilly Bob ThorntonDave FoleyCherMuhammad AliBruce JennerJay LenoKeanu Reeves
Henry WinklerJim CarreyBill CosbyKirk DouglasF. Scott FitzgeraldBenjamin FranklinMagic JohnsonAbraham LincolnPablo PicassoBabe RuthNolan RyanPete RoseWill SmithF.W. Woolworth