Determining who has had the highest IQ in history is a challenging task since IQ testing started only in the early 1900s, and various types of IQ tests exist, which can yield different results. Moreover, intelligence is a multifaceted trait that cannot be fully represented by a single score. Nevertheless, some individuals have recorded exceptionally high IQ scores based on the tests they took. Here are some of the most notable cases:
William James Sidis was a child prodigy from the US known for reportedly having an IQ score of 250-300, although some dispute this claim. Sidis could read the New York Times at age two, spoke several languages fluently by age five, and was admitted to Harvard University at age 11. However, he struggled to adapt to university life and dropped out at age 17. Sidis had a relatively unremarkable career as a writer, but he remains a symbol of intellectual achievement.
Terence Tao is an Australian mathematician who is widely recognized as one of the most brilliant minds of his generation. He began university at the age of nine and earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University at age 21. While Tao’s IQ score is not publicly known, he is thought to have an IQ in the range of 225-230. He has made substantial contributions to various mathematical fields and has won many awards, including the Fields Medal, considered the highest honor in mathematics.
Marilyn vos Savant is an American magazine columnist who rose to fame in the 1980s for recording one of the highest IQ scores ever. She reportedly scored 228 on the Stanford-Binet IQ test, placing her in the top 0.01% of the population. Vos Savant is now a prominent public figure and has authored books and articles on several topics, including mathematics, science, and philosophy.
Christopher Hirata is a Japanese-American astrophysicist known for being a child prodigy in mathematics. He won a gold medal at the International Physics Olympiad at age 13 and was admitted to the California Institute of Technology at age 14. Although Hirata’s IQ score is not publicly known, he is believed to have an IQ in the range of 225-230. He has made significant contributions to astrophysics, including work on dark energy and the cosmic microwave background radiation.
Kim Ung-yong is a South Korean civil engineer who is often cited as having the highest IQ ever recorded. He reportedly scored 210 on the Stanford-Binet IQ test at age four and had completed university-level courses in physics and mathematics by age eight. Kim went on to work for NASA and earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Colorado State University at age 15. However, he later decided to leave academia and pursue a career in business.
It is crucial to note that IQ scores are not an ideal measure of intelligence, and various factors can affect an individual’s performance on an IQ test. Additionally, intelligence is not the sole determinant of success or achievement in life. Many individuals who are not considered geniuses by IQ standards have made significant contributions to society and have achieved great success in their respective fields.