The age of achievement

Doctors say it’s all downhill from 45. History suggests otherwise

A study in the British Medical Journal suggests that our brains begin to deteriorate from the age of 45. Examining the vocabulary, comprehension and memories of 7,000 45- to 70-year-olds, the researchers found a 3.6 per cent decline in the second half of their forties.

This will come as a surprise to students of history. Men and women have achieved positions of power at all stages of life, but it is remarkable how many have lived in obscurity until their forties and gone on to do remarkable things. A good example was Oliver Cromwell, who only stepped into the public sphere in his late forties (he was born in 1599). He became the key figure in the creation of the most formidable army in Europe, and led it to overwhelming success. He then switched to civil government, became Lord Protector at the age of 53, and ran one of the most successful administrations in English history until his death.