Sam Kelly

Writer

Sam Kelly is a history grad from Stanford University and is on the autism spectrum. His interest and passion for history have become an almost physical compulsion. He loves to dig up forgotten and weird stories from the past and spends hours uncovering every last stubborn detail. As a deep believer that history can be as exciting as any Marvel movie, Sam aims to — whether on TikTok or through a book — make history both engaging and accessible to all. Human History on Drugs is his first book.

Man with short dark hair and beard, wearing a blue velvet jacket over a light purple shirt, smiles in front of a plain gray background.

Painting of a man with red hair and a mustache wearing a white cap, resting his head on his hand, set against a swirling blue background with touches of van Gogh yellow paint highlighting the scene.

Books

Why did Van Gogh eat yellow paint? The troubled obsession behind the masterpieces.

In “Human History on Drugs,” Sam Kelly explores what the research can tell us about one of history’s most brilliant — and troubled — artists.