Genius takes many forms. Some of the smartest Americans, like Paul Allen, work to build companies that end up a dominant fixture on the country’s business landscape. Others, like Nathan Leopold, use their genius for evil, committing crimes solely to prove they can get away with it. Yet others strive to share their knowledge or personal experience with the world, as did poet Sylvia Plath and as does astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
But few American geniuses established themselves while still young — though many were on a path towards greatness (or infamy). What were some of the highest-IQ Americans doing at age 25? Watch the video above to find out.
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