That is outside of Nabokov-L but, Charles, here is fascinating modern sample of what you describe. In short it is about Jewish mathematic genius from Russia, Grisha Perelman, who chose not to play it safe after becoming “conspicuous” person. G-d bless him.

 

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060828fa_fact2

 

George,

 

This is a fascinating article, full of quotable comments from Perelman. It is long, and I must take some time to digest it.

 

Did VN ever refuse any prizes, literary or otherwise? It is of course totally true that Establishment approval of anything is intellectually worthless, but financially helpful. In the case of genuine genius it is nearly always belated -- but, as always, there are exceptions.

 

Charles