Woodrow Wilson Was the Only President With a PhD

There are many answers to the question "who was the smartest President" and probably a lot of insults as well. Of course, intelligence cannot be gauged as easily as some might believe. But at least we can assess how well-educated and successful each President was and how they compare to one another.

Only one President has ever received a PhD, despite the fact that many have varied careers, educational backgrounds, and occupations like practicing law. The president of the United States from 1913 to 1921, Woodrow Wilson, held a PhD from Johns Hopkins University. Political science was his area of expertise, which seems appropriate.

Many Presidents held academic degrees, but they weren't around for more advanced ones. Washington attended college and graduated with a surveyor's license but not a bachelor's. No college was ever attended by Lincoln, Van Buren, Jackson, Fillmore, Taylor, or Cleveland. Monroe, Truman, McKinley, and Harrison all attended colleges but did not complete their degrees.

• 28th President of the United States

Born: Thomas Woodrow Wilson, December 28, 1856Staunton, Virginia, U.S.
Died: February 3, 1924 (aged 67)Washington, D.C., U.S.