— Famous people & IQ

Richard Dawkins IQ: 140 (estimated)

Estimated IQ

140

Field

Evolutionary biologist

Source basis

The Selfish Gene

Rarity

top ~2%

Important note: Richard Dawkins's IQ figure of 140 is an estimate. Most published celebrity IQ figures circulate without clinical sourcing. Treat the number as a defensible estimate, not a verified measurement.

Where the 140 estimate comes from

The number is a widely-circulated estimate based on Richard Dawkins's documented work, peer assessments, and historical accounts. Like most famous-person IQs, it should be read as a defensible upper-end estimate rather than a measured score.

What the score implies — and what it doesn't

An IQ of 140 is in the Highly Gifted range — above the Mensa threshold of 130. Strong analytical capability in any cognitively demanding domain.

Richard Dawkins's achievements in Evolutionary biologist reflect more than raw IQ. The pattern across high-achieving figures is that cognitive ability gets you into the game; the variables that determine outcomes from there are conscientiousness, sustained focus, time-on-task, mentorship, environment, and a tolerance for the social isolation that often accompanies deep specialized work.

Comparison with peers in Evolutionary biologist

Person	Est. IQ	Note
Richard Dawkins	140	The Selfish Gene

How does your IQ compare to Richard Dawkins?

Take a 20-minute calibrated test against the same standard distribution — see your six-axis cognitive profile.

The limits of celebrity IQ estimates

Historiometric estimates like Cox's are biographical inference, not measurement. Catharine Cox herself rated the reliability as "I" through "IV"; many figures are rated "III" or "IV" — weakest evidence.
Childhood ratio-IQs (mental age / chronological age × 100) systematically inflate scores compared to modern deviation IQ. A 1900-era child labeled "IQ 200" would likely test 140-160 on a modern WAIS.
Self-reported figures from public figures are essentially never independently verifiable.
Achievement is not pure intelligence. The correlation between extreme achievement and pure IQ peaks around 130-140; above that, conscientiousness and circumstance dominate the variance.

Frequently asked

What is Richard Dawkins's IQ?

Richard Dawkins's IQ is widely estimated at 140, based on the selfish gene. This is an estimate, not a clinically measured score.

Did Richard Dawkins actually take an IQ test?

Likely not a formal modern IQ assessment. Celebrity IQ figures are usually estimates from secondary sources rather than verified clinical results.

How accurate is the IQ 140 figure?

Treat it as a defensible upper-end estimate within ±10-15 points. Famous-person IQ estimates carry substantial uncertainty and methodological bias.