Tied with McKinley we see James K. Polk, one of the more effective Presidents of the pre-Civil-War time. Born in a log cabin, Polk was known as the ‘dark horse’ candidate. As President, Polk made real change, with developments in banking, territorial disputes as well as fiscal policy.
He maintained peace with the U.K, emerged victorious in the Mexican-American War and expanded U.S borders. His campaign promise to be a one-term president was kept, passing away just as he left the White House. It is said that the stress of the presidency left him in poor health. Looks like a high IQ doesn’t necessarily mean a high tolerance to stress. RIP Polk, we wouldn’t be here today without you.
16. George H.W. Bush (No. 41) - IQ 143
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; how then does George H.W. Bush explain his son’s Presidency? Whilst the American public look back on the first Bush as perhaps not the sharpest tool in the shed, he was certainly closer to the average as far as Presidents go. With an IQ of 143, Bush’s take on managing the U.S was directed towards making a “kinder and gentler nation.”
However, being kind and gentle are not terms commonly associated with holding office for one of the most powerful, influential nations in the world. Bush held his own throughout a series of tests, in the form of Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait and disturbance in Cuba, however his approach was not enough to save him from being removed from the Oval Office. Bye, bye, Miss American Pie.
17. William McKinley (No. 25) - IQ 143.4
The 25th President of the United States, McKinley enters our list with a respectable IQ of 143.4. Known for supporting the gold standard, McKinley’s election breathed new life into the American economy, with industry growing rapidly and the Depression of the 1890s ending.
The third American president to be assassinated, McKinley’s death was the final strike, with the Congress passing legislation to charge the Secret Service with the responsibility of protecting the President. Smart by our standards, but not swift enough (nor well-protected enough) to dodge Leon Czolgosz’s bullets.
19. Grover Cleveland (No. 22) - IQ 144
An interesting guy to say the least, we present Grover Cleveland. With an IQ of 144, he just falls short of our upper half of Presidential IQs. So interesting he was elected twice, Cleveland was not without controversy. Maybe there’s a correlation with intellect and getting into trouble? Let’s find out more.
Here’s a question; would you marry your daughter? No? Ah well, you do not stand with Mr.Cleveland. He seemed to have no problem with saying “I do” to his adopted 21-year-old daughter, whom he had known since she was a mere 11 years old. Consequently, she became the youngest first lady in history. Not quite spooked yet? Well, Cleveland, in his younger years, served as Sheriff of Erie County, New York. Before his Presidential stint, Cleveland opted to personally hang a criminal. “High” IQ; who wants in? Let’s move on… shall we?
20. Richard Nixon (No. 37) - IQ 142.9
We arrive at Richard Nixon; easily one of the most controversial Presidents to sit inside the Oval Office. Whilst his IQ is not to be scoffed at, we see once more that intelligence does not necessarily mean a job well done in the White House. Among his antics are an attempt to assassinate a journalist by exposing him to copious amounts of LSD, as well as the infamous Watergate scandal, Nixon is certainly not one of the most intelligent figures to hold public office.
Following a break-in to the Watergate complex in Washington, it was found that the burglars were indeed linked to Nixon. Attempting to spy and sabotage on Nixon’s opponents, 69 government officials were charged, including many from Nixon’s most trusted people. Threatened with impeachment, perhaps the smartest decision Nixon made was to resign in 1974. Yet another embarrassing end to a politician with a “high” IQ. Seems there’s a trend emerging here.