It is not really confirmed whether he really was the smartest one. But if you search for the smartest person there was you find him. His IQ was allegedly between 250-300. But it was measured retrospectively. Maybe some relatives of him exaggerated some things. But people who met him (some intellectuals/ professors confirmed he was really smart)
Here is the story.
allthatsinteresting.com
I don't think it is a perfect source. They act like it was really confirmed and keep silent about theories that his family exaggerated his intelligence. His wikipedia article on English gives the full picture.
His name was William James Sidis. His parents were intellectuals and wanted to raise their gifted son so that he flourished. They invested a lot of money in his education.
Quotes from the article.
"Sidis was accepted to Harvard University at the humble age of 9. However, the school wouldn't allow him to attend classes until he was 11."
"But despite his intelligence, he struggled to fit in with a world full of people who didn't understand him."
"After he graduated from Harvard at age 16, he told reporters, "I want to live the perfect life. The only way to live the perfect life is to live it in seclusion. I have always hated crowds.""
Some other facts I have found:
He worked a usual office job. Sued a newspaper that smeared him. Henever wanted to be famous.
Was bullied at college because he admitted he never kissed a girl.
I don't know all the details but his life sounded kind of sad and unhappy. He died early. At the age of 46 due to cerebral hemorrhage.
Here is the story.
The Surprisingly Tragic Story Of The Smartest Man Who Ever Lived
Despite his superior intelligence, William James Sidis never found the same success as other legendary geniuses.
allthatsinteresting.com
I don't think it is a perfect source. They act like it was really confirmed and keep silent about theories that his family exaggerated his intelligence. His wikipedia article on English gives the full picture.
His name was William James Sidis. His parents were intellectuals and wanted to raise their gifted son so that he flourished. They invested a lot of money in his education.
Quotes from the article.
"Sidis was accepted to Harvard University at the humble age of 9. However, the school wouldn't allow him to attend classes until he was 11."
"But despite his intelligence, he struggled to fit in with a world full of people who didn't understand him."
"After he graduated from Harvard at age 16, he told reporters, "I want to live the perfect life. The only way to live the perfect life is to live it in seclusion. I have always hated crowds.""
Some other facts I have found:
He worked a usual office job. Sued a newspaper that smeared him. Henever wanted to be famous.
Was bullied at college because he admitted he never kissed a girl.
I don't know all the details but his life sounded kind of sad and unhappy. He died early. At the age of 46 due to cerebral hemorrhage.
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