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William James Sidis was an American child prodigy born in 1898, recognized for having an exceptionally high IQ. His intellectual abilities were evident from a young age, and he gained public attention for his remarkable achievements.

Sidis entered Harvard University at the age of 11, making him one of the youngest students ever to attend the prestigious institution. His parents, Boris and Sarah Sidis, raised him according to certain principles to nurture his gifts, though their methods were criticized. His upbringing emphasized intellectual pursuits over social-emotional development.

At Harvard, Sidis set records for his precocity but had difficulties adjusting to the social environment. He later taught mathematics briefly at Rice University before returning to Harvard for law school. Sidis was arrested for participating in a socialist protest in 1919. His early fame from graduating Harvard young made this controversial. He later sought to live a private, independent life.

Sidis pursued interests in varied fields like cosmology, linguistics, Native American history, and transportation systems. He invented a constructed language and wrote books under pseudonyms. After his death, his sister claimed Sidis had the very highest IQ ever obtained, possibly over 250. However, some of these claims were likely exaggerated.

Sidis’s experiences raised discussions about how to best educate gifted children and whether to accelerate their schooling. His difficulties adjusting socially shaped views against fast-tracking education.