An avocation is an activity that one engages in as a hobby outside one's main occupation. There are many examples of people whose professions were the ways that they made their livings, but for whom their activities outside of their workplaces were their true passions in life.[1][2] Occasionally, as with Lord Baden-Powell and others, a person who pursues an avocation is more remembered by history for their avocation than for their professional career.

American First Lady Bess Truman with Girl Scouts and their volunteer leaders

Many times a person's regular vocation may lead to their avocation. Many forms of humanitarian campaigning, such as work for organizations such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace may be done by people involved in the law or human rights issues as part of their work..[3]

Many people involved with youth work pursue this as an avocation.[4]

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Avocation in literature

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But yield who will to their separation,
My object in living is to unite
My avocation and my vocation
As my two eyes make one in sight.
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For heaven and the future´s sakes.

— Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, st. 9

People whose avocations were not their vocations

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August Wilhelm Ambros
Person Avocation Vocation
Adams, Frederick luthier physician
Allen, Woody Jazz musician filmmaker
Alston, Joseph Cameron badminton player federal agent
Ambros, August Wilhelm Musical Archaeologist Austrian civil service
 
Baden-Powell, Robert
Person Avocation Vocation
Baden-Powell, Robert Scouting Military Officer
Barr, William Bagpiper Attorney
Bennett, William clarinetist Physicist
Billroth, Theodor pianist surgeon
Blom, Gertrude Social anthropologist journalist
 
Copernicus
Person Avocation Vocation
Carpenter, Charles naturalist minister
Copeland, Johnny boxer blues guitarist
Copernicus, Nicolaus Astronomer Roman Catholic cleric
Person Avocation Vocation
Derleth, August naturalist Novelist
Duncan, Watson Actor Professor
Person Avocation Vocation
Fermat, Pierre de Mathematician Lawyer
Person Avocation Vocation
Hohlbaum, Robert writer librarian
 
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Person Avocation Vocation
Ingres, Jean Auguste Dominique violinist painter
Ives, Charles composer insurance agent
 
Brian Jacques
Person Avocation Vocation
Jacques, Brian author milkman
Jędruch, Jacek historian Nuclear engineer
 
Robert Jay Lifton
Person Avocation Vocation
Lifton, Robert Jay Cartoonist Psychiatrist
Lluberas, Gerónimo musician physician
 
Gaston Means
Person Avocation Vocation
Means, Gaston Con artist salesman
Person Avocation Vocation
Obici, Amedeo farmer businessman
 
Michael Alfred Peszke
Person Avocation Vocation
Peszke, Michael Alfred historian Psychiatrist
 
Jeri Ryan
Person Avocation Vocation
Roget, Peter Mark Lexicographer Physician
Ryan, Jeri Chef actress
Person Avocation Vocation
Smith, Walter Parry Haskett Bouldering lawyer
 
Baal Shem Tov
Person Avocation Vocation
Thomas, Jean folk festival promoter stenographer
Tov, Baal Shem arbitrator and mediator Rabbi
Person Avocation Vocation
Weller, Peter Art historian actor
White, Henry fox hunter diplomat
Whorf, Benjamin Lee Linguist fire prevention engineer

Fictional people whose avocations were not their vocations

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Person Avocation Vocation
Wayne, Bruce crime fighter philanthropist

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Travis Saunders. "Avocation-vs-vocation". Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  2. ^ Robert Miller (2010-02-10). "Your avocation may save your life". The News-Times. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 10 February 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Boyd, B. (2006, October 20). A secret history of the old Ball game. Irish Times. Retrieved July 04, 2007, from http://www.irishtimes.com/theticket/articles/2006/1020/1160606784745.html
  4. ^ Craig Giammona. "Avocation in Wood". Bowdoin. Retrieved 10 February 2011.

it:Avocazione (pubblica amministrazione)