Does Joseph Campbell's advice work for the natural sciences?
While this might be a strategy, I think it would be a mistake if it were your only strategy. Normally a lot of people contribute to a discipline and each of them have slightly different insights and thoughts to bring to bear. Even though you want to delve deeply into the topic of interest, it is likely a mistake to get too closely involved with the thought processes of that one person, unless they are the subject of study itself. 

Interesting idea, though. But I wouldn't use it extensively. 

However, going back to the influences on a researcher can be fruitful, especially if it gives you insight in to their insight. 

I think the fields that are overwhelmingly interested by one person are rare, though there are a few. Stephen Hawking comes to mind, of course.