William James Sidis Was The Smartest Man Who Ever Lived — But He Died A Low-Level Office Clerk

A True Child Prodigy

When William James Sidis was just 18 months old, he was able to read The New York Times.

By the time he was 6 years old, he could speak in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Russian, Hebrew, Turkish, and Armenian.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Sidis also invented his own language as a child (though it’s unclear if he ever used it as an adult). The ambitious youngster also wrote poetry, a novel, and even a constitution for a potential utopia.

Sidis was accepted to Harvard University at the humble age of 9. However, the school wouldn’t allow him to attend classes until he was 11.

While he was still a student in 1910, he lectured the Harvard Mathematical Club on the incredibly complex topic of four-dimensional bodies. The lecture was nearly incomprehensible for most people, but for those who understood it, the lesson was a revelation.

Sidis graduated from the legendary school in 1914. He was 16 years old.