UK's two-year-old boy becomes youngest member of high IQ society Mensa

A remarkable milestone has been reached by Joseph Harris-Birtill , a two-year-old from the UK, who has officially become the youngest male ever admitted into Mensa, according to Guinness World Records. Known for his exceptional intelligence, Joseph spoke his first word at just seven months and was reading books aloud before age two. His rapid cognitive development and advanced skills stunned both his parents and experts. Mensa, the elite high-IQ society, requires an IQ of at least 132—placing members in the top 2% of the population. Joseph's early achievements have now earned him a place among the world’s intellectual elite.



Joseph’s early learning set the stage for a world record as Mensa’s youngest male member

Joseph's entry into the record books did not start at two—it began long before. According to his parents, Dr. Rose and David Harris-Birtill, Joseph first started indicating extraordinary development at birth. At five weeks, he rolled over for the first time. At seven months, he uttered his first word—a precocious signpost of an exceptionally developed brain.

His advancement sped up from there. At 21 months, Joseph was reading complete books out loud, a remarkable achievement for a child who had only just started to walk a year earlier. At two and a half years old, he could read out loud effortlessly for as much as 10 minutes, count to 10 in five languages, and count both forward and backward beyond 100.

At two years and 182 days, Joseph was officially made a member of Mensa, making him the youngest male member in Mensa history. Membership in Mensa demands an IQ level of at least 132—putting members in the top 2% of people. Joseph's achievement has brought huge pride to both of his working parents, who are both academically employed.

“We’re extremely proud,” said Rose. “It soon became clear that he was an exceptional little being… and this achievement is just a reflection of his curiosity and drive to learn.”



Joseph’s passion for knowledge sparks his rapid development


Joseph's intellectual curiosity ranges well beyond mere reading and figures. He is in the process of learning Morse code and has become interested in the Greek alphabet and the periodic table of elements. His parents also portray him as socially well-adjusted and affectionate. He likes to hug friends, give toys, and play—qualities that underscore his emotional intelligence as well as his academic capacity.

"He's a very kind and loving boy, confident and inquisitive," said Rose. "He enjoys a challenge and feeds on complexity—whether it's solving chess or diving into new words and ideas."


Joseph’s hobbies reflect a balanced growth and curiosity

Outside of schoolwork, Joseph has developed an interest in music and has begun to learn the piano. He also likes learning new languages, doing math equations, cooking, making paper airplanes, and playing with his toy collection.

These varied interests imply that Joseph is not only cognitively developed but also well-adjusted—a trait that will benefit him as he matures and matures further. Identifying their son's special abilities, Rose and David made the decision to contact Mensa to offer Joseph more resources and a network of support. "We looked online for other help and realized that Mensa had programs for children who were exceptionally gifted," said Rose. "We felt that this would be a good way for Joseph to meet others and see where his potential lay.

They wish the Mensa membership to not just be an appreciation of his talent but also as an encouragement and source of pride as he grows up.




Also Read | Snake sightings are increasing at New York lakes—here’s why and their major hotspots