[edanm]

I don't think we can reasonably call Newton or Einstein "outsiders". Einstein might have been working in a job on the side as a young man while trying to get recognition, but as I understand it, the year in which he published his major groundbreaking works was the year in which he got his PHD. In fact, one of his groundbreaking papers was his PHD thesis, I think.

Newton, likewise, was in the university when he made his breakthroughs, IIRC.

Let's not forget that while all the pictures of Einstein are of an older professor, he was quite young when he made his biggest contributions, as was Newton. They weren't "establishment professors" or something because they were too young!

It has been argued, btw, that nowadays too much background is necessary for people to make breakthroughs so young.