Notable Montessorians!

	Anne Frank Anne Frank is remembered around the world for her diary Het Achterhuis which speaks about her adolescence in German occupied Amsterdam in World War Two. The diary describes the impact of Nazi anti-Semitism on Jewish and Dutch communities. Anne was born to an upper class Jewish family in Frankfurt before moving to Amsterdam. Her family selected a small Montessori School for Anne to attend where she was remembered as an ordinary student but with the ability to draw more from her experiences than the average student - a typical Montessorian characteristic.
	Jeff Bezos Jeffrey Preston Bezos (born January 12, 1964) is the founder, president, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board of Amazon.com.
	Tana Ramsay Tana Ramsay is the author of three best-selling family cook books and busy Mum to four young children. She is also a qualified Montessori teacher. Montessori is a cause close to Tana's heart. "In the UK Montessori is relatively well-known but little understood. The Montessori method sounds like it might be something unusual, but in fact its a straightforward and sensible way to support children in their learning." "My own family has benefited massively from Montessori and I want to raise awareness of what I consider to be the most encouraging and nurturing form of education there is."
	Larry Page and Sergey Brin Google, the Internet search engine, was co-founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. They had been friends since childhood but when asked if it was the fact that their parents were both college professors being the reason for their success they said no, that it was their going to a Montessori school where they learned to be self directed and self starters. They said that Montessori education allowed them to learn to think for themselves and gave them freedom to pursue their own interests.
	President Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson, President of The United States of America had a Montessori classroom installed in the basement of the Whitehouse during his term of office for staff to send their children to and his daughter trained as a Montessori teacher. Margaret Wilson was on the committee that brought Dr Montessori to the USA in 1915.
	Julia Child The movie Julie and Julia brings us a fresh awareness of the life of the famous chef, Julia Child. Julia Child was sent to a local Montessori school aged 4 run by May and Augusta Davies who had studied with Maria Montessori. In her book, Julia Child & Company, she credits her Montessori experience with her love of working with her hands. Julia child exemplifies creativity, inititiative and self confidence.
	Gabriel Garcia Marquez Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the columbian author who won a Nobel Prize for literature was sent to a Montessori school and is an avid supporter of the philosophy. He stated, " I do not believe there is a method better than Montessori for making children sensitive to the beauties of the world and awakening their curiosity regarding the secrets of life." His book, 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' has been named as the book that has most shaped world literature of the last 25 years.
	Jacqueline Onassis Jacqueline Onassis (1929-1994), the wife of the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, attended a Montessori school in her early years. She was later married to the Greek Shipping Magnate, Aristotle Onassis and achieved a sucessful career as a book editor.
	Yo Yo Ma One of the most sought after cellists of our times, he has appeared with eminent conductors and orchestras all over the world. Ma, was born in Paris in 1955, and gave his first public recital by age 5. By 19 he was compared to such masters as Rostroparich and Casals.  He went onto graduate from Harvard and currently resides in Boston with his wife and two children. As a pre-schooler, his daughter Emily attended the Lexington Montessori School. He said in an interview with Montessori Life magazine that "Structure is an absolutely important part of the creative life, and Emily

From: http://www.montessori.org.uk/what_is_montessori/famous_montessorians


Others Include:
Sean 'P.Diddy' (formerly known as Puffy) Combs, RAP mega-star

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Nobel Prize winner for Literature

Prince William and Prince Harry, English royal family

T. Berry Brazelton, noted pediatrician and author


Others with a Montessori Connection:
Alexander Graham Bell (dec.), noted inventor, and his wife Mabel founded the Montessori Education Assocation in 1913. They also provided financial support directly to Dr. Montessori and helped establish the first Montessori class in Canada and one of the first in the United States.

Mister Rogers, children's TV personality, strong supporter of Montessori education

Thomas Edison, noted scientist and inventor, helped found a Montessori school

Erik Erikson, noted anthropologist/author, had a Montessori teaching certificate.

Willie Nelson, musician, opened a Montessori school on his ranch, which was recently relocated due to growth and demand.

President Wilson's daughter trained as a Montessori teacher. There was a Montessori classroom in the basement of the White House during Wilson's presidency

Jean Piaget (dec.), noted Swiss psychologist, made his first observations of children in a Montessori school. He was also head of the Swiss Montessori Society for many years.

Adapted from: http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/337920/famous-montessorians