11. Chester Arthur – IQ score: 141.5
Chester A. Arthur, America’s 21st president (1881–1885), rose to the presidency after the assassination of James Garfield. A skilled lawyer and former vice president, Arthur surprised many by championing civil service reform, pushing for federal jobs to be awarded based on merit rather than political connections.
Despite his efforts, Arthur’s past haunted him. Accusations of bribery and financial misconduct from his time as Collector of the Port of New York tarnished his reputation, even though he was never convicted. This lingering stigma ultimately cost him a second term. Though his presidency was marked by progress, Arthur’s legacy remains a mix of reform and controversy, highlighting the complexities of his political career.
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