The Myth of Genius



In 1926, psychologist Dr. Catherine Morris Cox and a group of Stanford psychologists including the founder of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale Dr. Lewis Terman, published a study of the "most eminent men and women to live between 1450-1850." The study estimated IQs based mainly on the degree of intelligence exemplified before the age of 17. It is one of the most referenced studies when discussing possible IQ's of past geniuses. Here are some more of her findings. IQ Classifications IQ vs Occupation Genius Timeline Estimated IQs of the Greatest Geniuses IQ Classifications According to the Stanford-Binet and Wechsler Scales, Intelligence Distribution is exemplified in these charts.






	Stanford-Binet					Wechsler
	IQ Scores	Percentage of Population				IQ Score	Percentile Distribution	Classification
	130+	2.2%				130+	98%	Very Superior
	120-129	6.7%				120-129	91-97%	Superior
	110-119	16.1%				110-119	75-90%	High Average
	90-109	50%				90-109	25-74%	Average
	80-89	16.1%				80-89	9-24%	Low Average
	70-79	6.7%				70-19	2-8%	Borderline
	Below 70	2.2%				Below 70	1%	Mentally Impaired
IQ vs. Occupation: Cox's study found that the "average" genius IQ varies for each profession. Based on the IQs of acknowledged geniuses in each field Cox recorded an "average" genius IQ for seven professions. 25-7%

	Profession		Number Studied					Average IQ
	Philosophers		22					160
	Scientists		39					159
	Fiction Writers		53					152
	Statesmen		43					150
	Musicians		11					149
	Artists		13					153
	Soldiers		27					136

Genius Timeline This timeline further illustrates the geniuses that Cox studied and when they lived.


Timeline courtesy of Ulf Norlinger


Estimated IQ's of the Greatest Geniuses Cox's original study, published in 1926, estimated the IQs of 300 eminent societal figures from 1450-1850. The study concluded an average of 155 among the first 300 hundred subjects. The study has been revised 3 times, most recently in 1964. Here are some of the high scorers.
		Genius		Occupation	Estimated IQ
		Goethe		Poet and Writer	210
		Emmanuel Swedenborg		Religious Writer	205
		John Stuart Mill		Political Scientist	200
		Blaise Pascal		Mathematician	195
		Galileo Galilei		Scientist	185
		Rene Descartes		Mathematician	180
		Immanuel Kant		Philosopher	175
		Sofia Kovalevskaya		Mathematician	170
		Charles Darwin		Scientist	165
		Mozart		Composer	165



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IQ Classifications

According to the Stanford-Binet and Wechsler Scales, Intelligence Distribution is exemplified in these charts.

Stanford-Binet

Wechsler

IQ Scores

Percentage of Population

IQ Score

Percentile Distribution

Classification

130+

2.2%

130+

98%

Very Superior

120-129

6.7%

120-129

91-97%

Superior

110-119

16.1%

110-119

75-90%

High Average

90-109

50%

90-109

25-74%

Average

80-89

16.1%

80-89

9-24%

Low Average

70-79

6.7%

70-19

2-8%

Borderline

Below 70

2.2%

Below 70

1%

Mentally Impaired

IQ vs. Occupation:

Cox's study found that the "average" genius IQ varies for each profession. Based on the IQs of acknowledged geniuses in each field Cox recorded an "average" genius IQ for seven professions.

25-7%

Profession

Number Studied

Average IQ

Philosophers

22

160

Scientists

39

159

Fiction Writers

53

152

Statesmen

43

150

Musicians

11

149

Artists

13

153

Soldiers

27

136

Genius Timeline

This timeline further illustrates the geniuses that Cox studied and when they lived.

Estimated IQ's of the Greatest Geniuses

Cox's original study, published in 1926, estimated the IQs of 300 eminent societal figures from 1450-1850. The study concluded an average of 155 among the first 300 hundred subjects. The study has been revised 3 times, most recently in 1964. Here are some of the high scorers.

Genius

Occupation

Estimated IQ

Goethe

Poet and Writer