AbstractWe do not need to choose between a vulgar sociology and an unqualified individualism. Exceptional creative scientists like Charles Darwin draw on precursors and contemporaries, develop collaborations, and respond to broad social forces. We need a theory of individual creative work that takes account of sociohistorical factors. Such a theory will entail consideration of the multiple strands of activity that form a unique pattern for each creative person and within which he or she produces many metaphors and many insights in a protracted process of purposeful growth. The in‐teractionism and pluralism of this approach leaves room for both the social nature of thought and the specialness of the creative perso