Who is the smartest person to have lived? What is the highest IQ ever?

Introduction

Here we attempt to figure out who the smartest person ever recorded is.

The results published here are a result of heavy research and historiometric methods. We examine scores, scrutinize the statistical validity and claims of any available scores, and use proof to corroborate such claims. In the chance that results have no axiomatic proof, we use a ranked historiometric ranking method to determine the ranking.

The ranking is dependent on five criteria, namely fluid intelligence, verbal intelligence, quantitative intelligence, working memory, visual ability, and processing speed. All criteria are not weighted equally due to the nature of how intelligence works. 

Due to the nature of this research, results should always be taken with caution unless tier-1 proof is otherwise known. 

The tiers are as follows:

  1. Tier 1. Rating based on data equal to a professional test.
  2. Tier 2. Rating based on data for which standardized norms exist on a test that is accurate.
  3. Tier 3. Rating based on documentary evidence combined with diagnostic descriptive material.
  4. Tier 4. Rating based on weaker documentary evidence and descriptive material, or on purely descriptive material. 
  5. Tier 5. Rating based on general descriptive material. General statements of superiority (or inferiority) or of school standing, intellectual interests and more. Little evidence.
  6. Tier 6. Rating based on slight evidence, such as socioeconomic status.
  7. Tier 7. Guess

Our research takes a look at all tiers (except for 7 when all others are present) and uses a special formula to have a proper equilibrium between all tiers in the case a tier is missing or not available, or if more information is provided on one tier than the other. One should not take these results as a given unless tier 1 or 2 is heavily present.

Below is a list of possible geniuses that will continue to grow. It shall feature an embedded link to our tier analysis of each genius, otherwise if an embedded link is not available, the article is still being written and results should not be taken as final since research is still underway. 

The list of candidates which will be ranked numerically at a later date are below:

Candidate List:

  • Chris Langan
  • Rick Rosner
  • William James Sidis
  • John Von Neumann (1)
  • Isacc Newton
  • Albert Einstein
  • Marilyn vos Savant
  • Ainan Cawley
  • Leonardo Da Vinci
  • Johann Goethe
  • Leonhard Euler
  • Pierre-Simon Laplace
  • George Berkeley
  • Terence Tao
  • Magnus Carlsen
  • Richard Feynman
  • Stephen Hawking
  • Galileo Galilei
  • Neil Armstrong
  • Wolfgang Mozart
  • Srinivasa Ramanujan
  • Aristocles (Plato)
  • Aristotle (Aristotle)
  • Joe Biden
  • Archimedes
  • Evangelos Katsioulis
  • Kim Ung-yong
  • Donald Trump
  • Robert Oppenheimer
  • Immanuel Kant
  • Karl Marx
  • John Locke
  • Elon Musk
  • Bill Gates

Winner:

As of now, our analysis has determined John von Neumann to feature the most significant feats. Our method will be published soon along with an explanation. 

If you wish to take a FREE online IQ test, you can find it here.

If you think a possible candidate should be added, then add a comment below.