Niccolo Paganini (27th October 1782 - 27th May 1840) was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time. An Italian, Paganini was a guitarist too, who left his mark as one of the pillars of the modern violin technique. He earned a good sum of money, but owing to frequent indulgence in gambling and other forms of dissipation, he brought himself to a situation where he couldn't afford to buy even a violin. Paganini was a composer too, but this aspect was overshadowed by his genius as a player. Owing to his public appearances and masterful playing, he was believed to have had a pact with the devil. This was why he was refused to be buried in the churchyard when he died in 1840.