JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

How smart can you be to lead an entire nation? Factors such as openness and intellectual brilliance can get a picture of how intelligent the former U.S. leaders were. In a study headed by psychologist and researcher Dean Simonton, he estimated some of the presidents’ IQs. At a whopping score of 175, John Quincy Adams has the highest IQ of all U.S. presidents.

The Harvard graduate studied all around the world, becoming a lawyer even without finishing law school. He was also fluent in seven languages. A notable diplomat, he first served as Secretary of State for U.S. President James Monroe. He was dubbed “Old Man Eloquent” for his excellent oratorical skills and was regarded as one of the fittest presidents. Highlights of his government career included helping to negotiate the 1812’s end of the War and shaping the Monroe Doctrine.