[9rx]

> The author cites examples such as Linus and Margaret, but IIRC they studied CS and/or math as part of their educational upbringing...

What is studying if not self-teaching? But, semantics aside, Linus, at least, was programming long before he attended university, and his claim to fame was built early in his time at university. It is true that he "studied CS", but that came later. He is unquestionably self-taught in the area for which he is best known.