The list includes people who have been partially or wholly self-taught.
Some notables listed did receive formal educations, including some college, although not in the field(s) for which they became prominent.
Because of the large increase in years of education since 1800, especially during the early 20th century, it is difficult to define autodidactism and to compare autodidacts during different time periods.
When I graduated from high school, it was during the Depression and we had no money.
I couldn't go to college, so I went to the library three days a week for 10 years.