In the first few decades of the 20th century, child prodigies became national celebrities. Much like the movie stars, industrial titans and heavyweight champs of the day, their exploits were glorified ...

Child prodigies focus on single pursuits—chess, music, art—and excel at an early age. But most do not grow up to be geniuses, no matter how flawlessly they master a skill; often, their solitary focus ...

Matt Haimovitz is 42 and a world-renowned cellist. He rushed into the classical music scene at age 10 after Itzhak Perlman, the famed violinist, heard him play. "By the time I was 12, 13 years old I ...