Trying to list the 10 most intelligent people in history may not be a particularly brilliant mission, especially if we consider that, although we have standardized measurements and criteria, there is an important dose of relativity. But, making the effort to remember memorable minds, some choose to use IQ questionnaires, while others define their list of characters with emotional intelligence tests.
However, we will all agree that being intelligent is not the same as being wise, just as being smart is not the same as using intelligence to create something new or simply different. Sometimes, the prejudices or conditions of an era have slowed down the careers of brilliant people, even though these individuals had gifted potential.
Although measuring intellectual prowess can be subjective, there is no doubt about the achievements of a handful of figures, historical and historical, who have provided unique contributions to the world from a frankly dreamy thought.
To present this list, the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) metric was used, which determines that above 140 points you are in the parameter of geniuses:
William Sidis
Son of Russian emigrants who came to the United States. The most brilliant person who ever lived. He completed seven university degrees, spoke 40 languages perfectly, wrote countless articles and 15 books that did not help him achieve fame at all.
IQ: 300.
He was born in 1898 and died in 1944, at 46 years of age.
Country of origin: Ukraine.
Judith Polgár
Prodigy girl. She holds the title of International Grandmaster in chess. Her father raised her, along with her sisters, with an educational program where chess occupied a preferential place.
IQ: 170.
Age: 38 years.
Country of origin: Hungary.
Gary Kasparov
To date he holds the record for being the youngest World Chess Champion. He remained the best chess player from 1985 to 2000.
IQ: 180.
Age: 55 years.
Country of origin: Azerbaijan (former Soviet Union).
Cleopatra
The last queen of the pharaoh period, she was the leader of her country for 30 years. She spoke five languages and was a great strategist.
IQ: 190.
Age: Born in 69 BC. C. and died in the year 30 BC. C., at 39 years old.
Country of origin: Egypt.
Terence Tao
When he was 2 years old he was already able to solve basic arithmetic operations, at the age of 9 he was already taking university classes, at 13 he became the youngest winner of the International Olympiad and obtained his doctorate at the age of 20 from Princeton University. . He has published more than 230 investigations.
IQ: 230.
Age: 39 years.
Country of origin: .
Hypatia
Astronomer, philosopher, mathematician and teacher from Alexandria who was accused of witchcraft by Christian fanatics who lynched her to death. She is the first woman recorded with that high coefficient.
IQ: 170-190.
Age: Born in 355 AD. C. and died in 415 AD. C., at 60 years old.
Country of origin: Greece.
Voltaire
Philosopher, writer, lawyer and historian. He was a thought leader who contributed widely to the era of the Enlightenment.
IQ: 190-200.
Age: He was born in 1694 and died in 1778, at 84 years of age.
Country of origin: France.
Philip Emeagwali
Inventor and scientist. His work in mathematics was a substantial instrument for the Internet. He is often named Africa’s greatest scientist of all time.
IQ: 190.
Age: 64 years.
Country of origin: Nigeria.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Eminence of Western thought. Scientist and novelist. He was an important intellectual within Romanticism.
IQ: 213
Age: He was born in 1749 and died in 1832, at 83 years of age.
Country of origin: Germany.
Avicenna aka Ibn Sina
Muslim doctor, scientist, philosopher and polymath. He is the author of at least 450 books, of which 240 have been rescued, among them The Canon of Medicine, an essential book today and in the golden age of Islam.
IQ: 180.
Age: Born in 980 AD. C. and died in 1037 AD. C., at 57 years of age.
Country of origin: Persia.