Intelligence quotient or IQ is a measure of a person's cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. Over the years, there have been many individuals who have scored high on IQ tests, indicating exceptional intelligence. In this article, we will explore the 10 smartest humans in history who have received the highest IQ scores.
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William James Sidis is considered to have the highest IQ ever recorded, with an estimated score of 250-300. Born in 1898, Sidis was a child prodigy who could read the New York Times at 18 months and spoke eight languages by the age of eight. He went on to attend Harvard University at the age of 11, but due to his unique views and unconventional behavior, he dropped out and lived a reclusive life until his death at age 46.
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Terence Tao is a mathematician born in Australia in 1975. He scored a 230 on his IQ test and is considered a child prodigy. At age two, he could do simple arithmetic and at age nine, he attended Flinders University in Adelaide. Tao went on to earn a Ph.D. from Princeton University and has made many significant contributions to the field of mathematics.
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Christopher Hirata is an astrophysicist who was born in 1982 in the United States. He is considered to have an IQ score of 225 and was a child prodigy who graduated from the California Institute of Technology at age 16. Hirata went on to work for NASA and later earned a Ph.D. from Princeton University.
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Kim Ung-Yong is a South Korean child prodigy who was born in 1962. He is believed to have an IQ score of 210, which allowed him to attend university at the age of three. By the age of eight, he had mastered four languages and had an IQ score of 200. Kim worked for NASA and later returned to South Korea to become a civil engineer.
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Philip Emeagwali : was born in Nigeria in 1954 and is a mathematician, computer scientist, and engineer. He is believed to have an IQ score of 190, which allowed him to attend Oregon State University at the age of 17. Emeagwali is known for his contributions to the development of the internet and for solving one of the world's most complex mathematical problems.
- Evangelos Katsioulis, a Greek psychiatrist who has been recognized for having one of the highest recorded IQ scores in the world. According to reports, Katsioulis achieved a score of 198 on the Stanford-Binet IQ test, which is considered to be one of the most reliable measures of IQ. Katsioulis has also earned several degrees in medicine, psychology, and philosophy, and is known for his research on intelligence, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
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Garry Kasparov is a Russian chess grandmaster who was born in 1963. He is considered to have an IQ score of 190 and is known for his exceptional chess skills. Kasparov became the youngest-ever undisputed World Chess Champion at the age of 22 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time.
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Marilyn Vos Savant is an American writer and lecturer born in 1946. She is believed to have an IQ score of 190 and was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest IQ in the world from 1985 to 1989. Vos Savant is known for her advice column "Ask Marilyn" which appears in Parade magazine.
- Judit Polgár is a Hungarian chess player who is considered to be one of the greatest female chess players of all time. She was born in Budapest in 1976 and learned how to play chess at the age of five, alongside her two sisters. Her father, a teacher and psychologist, was her coach and was determined to prove that genius is not determined by gender, but by hard work and dedication.
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Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent people in history. He is best known for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of physics and mathematics, including the development of the theory of relativity and the famous equation E=mc². Einstein's IQ has been estimated to be around 160, which would place him in the top 0.1% of the population.
Einstein's intelligence and creativity were evident from a young age. As a child, he was curious and enjoyed experimenting with the world around him. He struggled in school, however, and was often seen as an underachiever by his teachers. It wasn't until he was in his 20s that he began to gain recognition for his work in physics, which eventually led to his breakthrough theories.
Despite his success, Einstein was also known for his humility and compassion. He was a vocal pacifist and advocated for peace and understanding between nations. He was also known for his quirky personality and sense of humor, which endeared him to many.
In addition to his contributions to physics and mathematics, Einstein's legacy also includes his impact on popular culture. His distinctive appearance, with his wild hair and bushy mustache, has become an iconic image. He has been portrayed in countless movies and TV shows, and his name has become synonymous with genius.
Overall, Albert Einstein remains one of the most celebrated and revered figures in history, not only for his intelligence, but also for his humanity and his contributions to our understanding of the universe.
