An avocation is an activity that someone engages in as a hobby outside their main occupation. There are many examples of people whose professions were the ways that they made their livings, but for whom their activities outside their workplaces were their true passions in life.[1][2] Occasionally, as with Lord Baden-Powell and others, people who pursue an avocation are more remembered by history for their avocation than for their professional career.
Many times, a person's regular vocation may lead to an avocation. Many forms of humanitarian campaigning, such as work for organizations like 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]
People whose avocations were not their vocations
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Fictional people whose avocations were not their vocations
^ a bNeary, Lynn (6 September 2016). "Idea For 'Gentleman in Moscow' Came From Many Nights in Luxury Hotels". National Public Radio. No. Morning Edition. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
^Montagne, Renee (29 September 2006). "Tracey Ullman Takes on Knitting". NPR. NPR.org. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
Alex Preston (12 June 2016). "If you want to be a better person, find something to do outside work". Quartz. Atlantic Media. Retrieved 10 September 2016.