13. Abraham Lincoln –IQ score: 140
Abraham Lincoln, America’s iconic 16th president (1861–1865), rose from modest roots to become one of history’s most revered leaders. After an early business failure, he turned to politics, earning respect as a gifted speaker and a captain in the Black Hawk War. Though he lost his first bid for the Illinois General Assembly, Lincoln didn’t give up. He worked as a postmaster and surveyor while teaching himself law, eventually becoming a successful attorney.
Lincoln’s opposition to slavery defined his legacy. He argued that it contradicted the Founding Fathers’ belief that “all men are created equal.” As president, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a bold move that abolished slavery and reshaped the nation. Lincoln’s unwavering determination, moral clarity, and leadership during the Civil War cemented his place as a transformative figure in American history.
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