Every U.S. President Ranked by IQ

John F. Kennedy was bright, inquisitive, and well-read. Educated at Harvard, he wrote a senior thesis on Britain’s pre–World War II foreign policy that became the best-selling book Why England Slept. His quick mind and natural curiosity made him an agile conversationalist and a student of history and politics from an early age.

As president, Kennedy’s intellect showed in his grasp of complex global issues and his ability to inspire through language. He loved debate and surrounded himself with sharp advisers, challenging them constantly. His intelligence gave his leadership clarity, style, and a confidence rooted in informed thought.