The Mad-Genius Effect: How 9 Legendary Minds Rate On The Sanity Scale

Browse any history book worth its salt, and you’ll find that the brightest minds usually come with at least a touch of darkness. As it happens, society has always been simultaneously enthralled and appalled by the fabled brains and (mis)deeds of these legendary humans. We can’t help but wonder: Are they inspired or deranged? Brazen or withdrawn?

We partnered with Amazon’s new series “Hand of God” to plot out where nine of history’s most fascinating figures fall on the scale, highlighting their incredible accomplishments, inventions and works of art. However, there’s a flip side: click further to reveal the more bizarre, violent, disturbing and downright nuts behavior that are also part of the narrative of civilization’s most notable eccentrics.

More...