Inspiring political figures with high IQs
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 12:48 PM

Great political world leaders often display levels of intelligence above and beyond the average citizen. Throughout history, many presidents, prime ministers and advisors possessed the knowledge and wisdom that allowed them to make the right decisions at the right time. When exploring the history of great leaders, very high IQs and a strong desire to learn as much as possible in short amounts of time appear common. The children of today can use these politicians and statesmen as inspiration as they strive to raise their IQ scores.

Thomas Jefferson
The third president of the United States showed a level of intelligence that few of his contemporaries could rival. He is credited with being the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, although his credentials go much deeper. At a young age, Jefferson excelled in multiple subjects, including mathematics, philosophy and history. During his time as a student at the esteemed College of William and Mary, he became proficient in many languages, including French, Latin and Greek. In addition to being adept in academics, Jefferson showed a level of excellence in paleontology, archeology, musical composition, poetry, and instruments like the violin, cello and clavichord. While the IQ exam didn't exist in the 1700s, Jefferson's IQ would most likely rank in the highest percentile. 

Benjamin Netanyahu
As the son of a historian, Netanyahu grew up surrounded by books and scholars. However, his early immersion in academic life did not deter him from more adventurous activities. Netanyahu enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces as a young man. During his service, he participated in dangerous missions, and showed incredible courage and an outstanding ability to command, earning the respect of not only his peers, but his superior officers. The allure of academics never left him though, and Netanyahu left Israel to pursue a bachelor's degree in architecture and a master's in business management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later went on to become prime minister of Israel. According to Business Insider, Netanyahu's IQ is 180. 

Bill Clinton
The 42nd president of the United States may have a reputation for controversy, but few people can deny his superior intelligence. As a young man, he received multiple scholarships to some of the most prestigious colleges in America and around the world, including the internationally recognized Oxford University's Rhodes Scholarship. His reputation for academic excellence preceded him at celebrated American institutions such as Yale and Georgetown universities. After earning his Juris Doctor from Yale, Clinton went on to become a professor at the University of Arkansas, where the seed of his dreams for political office was planted. According to Kids-iq-test.com, Clinton's IQ is 137.