Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of what is arguably the world's most infamous machine-gun wanted to be a poet in his youth.
(Mr Kalashnikov is the inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle, beloved of guerrillas around the world. He told reporters at a celebration of his 90th birthday in Russia, "I wrote poetry in my youth, and people thought I would become a poet. But I didn't become one." What a shame he dropped the pen for the sword.)