American Mensa, Ltd.

The aim of Aristotle's logical treatises (known collectively as the Organon) was to develop a universal method of reasoning by means of which it would be possible to learn everything there is to know about reality.

Regarded as perhaps the greatest composer of all time, Bach was known during his lifetime primarily as an outstanding organ player and technician.

Michelangelo was one of the greatest marble sculptors of all time. Quite astonishingly, given the years required to master a craft, he was also one of the greatest painters, architects and poets.

Carver's efforts to improve the economy of the South (he dedicated himself especially to bettering the position of African Americans) included the teaching of soil improvement and of diversification of crops.

Confucius, according to Chinese tradition, was a thinker, political figure, educator, and founder of the Ru School of Chinese thought.

Polish astronomer Nicolas Copernicus was the first person to describe the earth as a celestial object that rotates once on its axis each day and that travels around the sun each year.

Curie won Nobel Prizes for both Physics and Chemistry.

Artist, scientist, engineer, architect…how do you describe Leonardo da Vinci?

The theory of evolution was developed by British naturalist Charles Darwin.

One of the world’s most prolific inventors, Thomas Edison held more than 1,000 patents.

It’s hard to think about Einstein without thinking, E=mc². Indeed, the German-born physicist is best known for his theory of relativity.

Greek mathematician whose work, “The Elements” was the standard geometry text for hundreds of years.

The diverse talents of Benjamin Franklin have had far-reaching effects for the world today.

As an astronomer, mathematician, and physicist, Italian-born Galilei expanded our view of universe.

Gutenberg demonstrated genius in a way that touched literally the entire world.

Thomas Jefferson achieved distinction as a political philosopher, statesman, lawyer, horticulturist, architect, archaeologist, paleontologist, inventor and founder of the University of Virginia.

Taxonomists, in almost any biological field, have heard of Carolus Linnaeus; his work represents the starting point of binomial nomenclature.

McClintock's work was well ahead of her time and revolutionized the science of genetics, cancer research and medicine.

Isaac Newton is recognized as one of the greatest scientists the world has known.

Louis Pasteur was the father of microbiology.

Born in or around Athens, Plato was, by any reckoning, one of the most dazzling writers in the Western literary tradition and one of the most penetrating, wide-ranging and influential authors in the history of philosophy.

English writer whose 37 plays and 154 sonnets are known worldwide.

Adam Smith is considered to be the father of modern economics and capitalism; books represent insightful investigations into the motivations and behaviors of people and their effects on society.

Socrates is the founding father of philosophy.

Perhaps the most gifted feminist leader in American history, Elizabeth Cady Stanton became the leading philosopher of the first generation of women's rights activists while raising a family of seven children.

Electrician Nikola Tesla was the father of the alternating current.