Simonton, curiously, seems to consider John Adams to have the highest IQ, ahead of Thomas Jefferson (who he ranks second in intelligence), which is odd being that Jefferson was often known as a walking encyclopedia, interested not just in political science, but also natural science, philosophy, and atheism/religion conflicts. While John Adams may very well have been the patriarch in the creation of his two cultures genius protege great grandson Henry Adams, the second greatest of the social Newtons, it remains to be seen of Adams senior was sharper than Jefferson.
Rank Smartest Presidents
(2013 colloquial opinion)Votes IQG Smartest Presidents
(2006 Simonton ranking)IQs 1. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) 11 180 John Adams (1735-1826) 173 2. Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) 8 160 Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) 160 3. John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) 6 John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) 158 4. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) 6 Bill Clinton (1946-) 156 5. Bill Clinton (1946-) 5 James Madison (1751-1836) 155 6. Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) 5 Jimmy Carter (1924-) 153 7. John Adams (1735-1826) 2 8. Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) 2 Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) 152 9. George Washington (1732-1799) 2 Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) 149 10. James Madison (1751-1836) 1 James Garfield (1831–1881) 148 11 Jimmy Carter (1924-) 1 Chester Arthur (1829–1886) 148 12. Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) 1 Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) 148 13. Barack Obama (1961-) 1 134 Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) 146 14. Lyndon Johnson (1908–1973) 1 Millard Fillmore (1800–1874) 143 15. Harry Truman (1884–1972) 1 John Tyler (1790–1862) 142 16. James Monroe (1758–1831) 1 Franklin Pierce (1804–1869) 141
“These days it is virtually impossible to get anywhere in these fields without a JD, MD, or PhD. On the other hand, most artistic creators, revolutionary scientists, and other more unconventional achievers may have much to lose and little to gain form continuing with more than a smattering of higher education. They may need enough formal training to acquire certain basic knowledge and skills, such as the ability to write well and to carry on an informed conversation. Beyond that, the increased inculcation of more specialized disciplinary preoccupations may only interfere with more important pursuits. For instance, success in many fields is strongly correlated with voracious and omnivorous reading, and undisciplined activity that may suffer under academic demands.”