I guess you would consider the GRA, MO since he held that maddah has intrinsic value.
Horribly untrue. I know that this misinformation is part of the battle cry of those who put Torah and Madda on the same banner, but it is far from the case.
The Gra pursued knowledge, and so did many Gedolei Yisroel, the Chazon Ish included. That has absolutely nothing to do with making it a partner of Avodas Hashem.