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What Is Abraham Lincoln's IQ?

By Samantha Davis, Psychology Writer
Published on August 04, 2024 | Updated on August 22, 2024

Image by IceKoldKube, used under CC BY-SA 4.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Abraham Lincoln's IQ: 144

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. Known for his leadership during the Civil War, Lincoln played a key role in ending slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation, which paved the way for the 13th Amendment. Some scholars estimate his IQ to be 138, while other claim his IQ was much higher, at 155. We picked the average from all those sources – see section below – to estimate his IQ.

Born in a log cabin in Kentucky, Lincoln had little formal education but taught himself by reading books. He eventually became a lawyer in Illinois and earned the nickname "Honest Abe" for his integrity and hard work. His political career included a term in the Illinois General Assembly and one in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lincoln's return to politics in the 1850s was driven by his opposition to slavery.

Lincoln won the 1860 presidential election without any support from Southern states. His anti-slavery stance led to the secession of Southern states and the start of the Civil War. Lincoln's dedication to preserving the Union never wavered, even during tough times.

Lincoln's ability to balance empathy, humility, and decisiveness made him an exceptional leader. He often appointed rivals to key positions, such as Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War, to build a strong team. This inclusive approach and his strategic foresight helped unite the nation during its most challenging period.

Abraham Lincoln's IQ

144

How Do We Know Lincoln's IQ Is 144?

Average Confidence Level

High

The average IQ of Abraham Lincoln comes from two sources, namely psychologist Dean Simonton's study and Reader's Digest. These sources are usually deemed authoritative. We have included the score from one other source for reference purposes. We calculated some source scores using the midpoint of the given ranges.

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Psychologist Dean Simonton's study

138 IQ

Ranker

140 IQ

Reader's Digest

150 IQ

5 Reasons Why Abraham Lincoln Is Considered Highly Intelligent

Self-Educated Intellectual: Abraham Lincoln's pursuit of knowledge was relentless. Despite having less than a year of formal schooling, he educated himself by reading every book he could access. This demonstrates an unwavering commitment to intellectual growth.
Skilled Orator: Lincoln's rhetorical abilities were legendary. His speeches, notably the Gettysburg Address, displayed his mastery of language and an ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible and compelling manner.
Strategic Military Leadership: With no prior military experience, Lincoln evolved into a shrewd military strategist during the Civil War. He navigated the Union to victory by making pivotal decisions that altered the course of American history.
Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 was a daring move. It aimed to weaken the Confederacy's labor force and reshape the Civil War's moral and political objectives by making the abolition of slavery a central goal.
Legal Innovator: Before his presidency, Lincoln was a highly successful lawyer, known for his logical reasoning and persuasive arguments. His innovative strategies in courtrooms helped establish precedents that influenced American law.

Image by pingnews.com, used under Public Domain / Incorporated into an illustration

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How High Is Lincoln's IQ Compared to the Rest of the World?

Abraham Lincoln's IQ of 144 positions him remarkably high on the IQ spectrum, reaching a level achieved by 0.2% of the population. Hypothetically, he matches the entry requirements for several high-IQ clubs. His score easily surpasses the entry criteria for Mensa, which requires a 130 IQ, and Intertel, demanding a 135 IQ. Only the Triple Nine Society threshold of 146 IQ is a bit of a reach!

Image by IceKoldKube, used under CC BY-SA 4.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Is Lincoln's IQ Top in the Politician Field?

Abraham Lincoln, with an IQ of 144, shares the elite intellectual landscape with several other notable leaders. His score sits just below the towering 172 IQ of John Quincy Adams. Adams' brilliant mind shaped early American foreign policy and governance, negotiating key treaties and promoting infrastructure and education.

Meanwhile, the charismatic John F. Kennedy and the eloquent Barack Obama both boast an IQ of 155. They both demonstrate sharp analytical abilities and persuasive communication skills, as seen in JFK's leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Obama's navigation through the Great Recession.

Just a step behind, Bill Clinton's IQ of 151 helped him navigate the complexities of global and domestic issues with adept problem-solving and a knack for connecting with the public.

Lincoln's score closely aligns with Georges Danton’s 145. Danton was a key figure in the French Revolution, known for his powerful oratory and leadership during turbulent times, highlighting a shared capacity for strategic thought and impactful leadership.

Illustration composed of multiple sources: images by Believe Creative under CC BY 2.0, TradingCardsNPS under CC BY 2.0, Kheel Center, Cornell University Library under CC BY 2.0, egadapparel under CC BY 2.0, sharedferret under CC BY 2.0, Neraudau, A., dessinateur-lithographe under CC0 1.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

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