Who had a 145 IQ?

Genius Through the Ages: From Napoleon to Wittgenstein

When we think of genius, IQ scores often come to mind — though they only tell part of the story. One name that stands out is Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France, who reportedly had an IQ of 145. That places him well above average, in the top fraction of a percent of intelligence scorers. Yet, while impressive, his intellect was more strategic and political than purely academic.

Compare that to Ludwig Wittgenstein, the Austrian philosopher whose IQ is estimated at a staggering 190 — among the highest ever attributed. His work reshaped 20th-century philosophy, particularly in logic and language. Then there’s Ludwig van Beethoven, whose creative genius earned an estimated IQ of 165. Though music and intelligence don’t always correlate directly, Beethoven’s complex compositions suggest a mind operating at an extraordinary level.

Curiously, the list also includes Madame de Staël, the influential novelist and philosopher, with a surprisingly low attributed IQ of 18. That number is almost certainly a historical misreading or typo — her sharp political insight and literary impact make that clear. She was a central figure in European intellectual life, banished by Napoleon himself for her outspoken views. Real genius, especially in complex fields like literature and politics, can’t always be boxed into a number.

And what about Stephen Hawking? While his exact IQ isn’t officially recorded — he never publicly took a modern test —it’s often assumed to be near 160. But Hawking himself dismissed the obsession with IQ, saying it was “meaningless” compared to curiosity and perseverance. In the end, raw intelligence matters less than what you do with it. From emperors to philosophers, the true mark of brilliance lies not in a score, but in lasting influence.