Nikola Tesla's success and death
Having unlocked the secret to power the world, Tesla went on to make significant contributions to science and technology—but after the Panic of 1907 (a stock market crash) he gave up his patent royalties to save Westinghouse from ruin. The world went on, and Tesla became a troubled soul. Germophobe, obsessed with the number three (counting it out-loud as he walked), afraid of women wearing pearls, he withdrew from people, and made friends with New York City pigeons. One particularly unusual white bird whom he had fallen in love with, died in 1922, leaving him heartbroken and alone. By the 1940s the entire skyline of New York City was shining brightly with Tesla’s invention; yet he was bankrupt, alone, and destitute—living as a semi-recluse in room 3327 of the New Yorker Hotel from which he could see everything he had accomplished. He died of coronary thrombosis on January 7th 1943 after having a do-not disturb sign for about two days and no contact with anyone. His body was found the next day by the hotel maid. Meanwhile, Edison went on to become one of America’s heroes…
Source: Al-Khalili, Jim, presenter. Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity. Episode 2, "The Powerhouse." BBC, 2011.
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Full disclosure, I may occasionally borrow a sentence from Will Durant's Story of Civilization. I absolutely love that collection!