This is worth studying I know that sometimes, in the past, I have dispaired over studying a topic that "no one" else cares about. One example of why not to give up is the late Charles R. Boxer. He was not well-known, at first. I had not thought that he was an academic, but he was (see Charles R. Boxer An Uncommon Man (1904-2000)). He was generally interested in the Dutch, in the 16th and 17th Century. He especially was interested in the Dutch in the Far East. Out of that, he also became knowledgable about the Portuguese, an important Dutch adversary, at least outside of Europe. He lived to a great age He wrote many books (over 300 books and articles), and eventually became an acknowledged expert in his field. He was an example to show that you can become prominent in your field, no matter obscure it might seem to you. There is no substitute, however, for hard work.