8. Ludwig van Beethoven
1770 – 1827
Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the most successful composers in history. He was also deaf, which makes his success even more astonishing. His loss of hearing started at the age of 26 and by the time he was 44, he was completely deaf. Somehow, he managed to write some of the most beautiful music ever created although he never heard it, except in his head.
