Lancelot Ware: The Visionary Behind Mensa

Lancelot Ware, a renowned English barrister and biochemist, is best known for co-founding Mensa, the international society for intellectually gifted people. Alongside Australian barrister Roland Berrill, Ware established the organization in 1946, initially called the High IQ Club, to provide a platform for individuals with exceptional intellectual abilities to connect and collaborate.

A Life of Academic Pursuits

Born on June 5, 1915, in Mitcham, Surrey, Ware was the eldest child of Frederick Ware and Eleanor Emslie. He attended Steyning Grammar School and Sutton Grammar School, before becoming a Royal Scholar at Imperial College London. Ware went on to read mathematics and later earned a PhD in biochemistry.

Early Career and World War II

Ware's early career was marked by significant contributions to medical research. He worked alongside Sir Henry Dale at the National Institute for Medical Research in Hampstead, London, and later became a non-clinical medical researcher and lecturer in biochemistry at St Thomas Hospital in London. During World War II, Ware was employed at the Porton Down secret research establishment, where he played a crucial role in the war effort.

The Birth of Mensa

In 1945, Ware's interest in IQ tests led him to start a law degree at Lincoln College, Oxford. It was during this time that he met Roland Berrill, and their conversation on a train about phrenology sparked the idea for Mensa. Ware argued that IQ tests were a more accurate measure of intelligence, and later tested Berrill, finding him to be in the top 1%. This encounter laid the foundation for the establishment of Mensa.

Legal Career and Public Service

Ware's legal career took off in 1949, when he was called to the Bar by Lincolns Inn. He specialized in intellectual property, copyright, and patent matters, and later became an Alderman of the London County Council (LCC) in the 1960s. Ware's contributions to the Institute of Patentees and Inventors earned him an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1983.

Personal Life and Legacy

Ware married Joan Francesca Rae Quint ne Gomez in 1980, and she survived him until his passing on August 15, 2000, at the age of 85. Ware's legacy extends far beyond his remarkable achievements in various fields. Through Mensa, he created a global community that celebrates intellectual diversity and fosters collaboration among individuals with exceptional abilities.

Career Highlights and Major Works

• Co-founder of Mensa, the international society for intellectually gifted people
• Medical researcher and lecturer in biochemistry at St Thomas Hospital in London
• Scientist at the Boots Company in Nottingham
• Alderman of the London County Council (LCC) in the 1960s
• Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1983

Ware's remarkable life and achievements serve as a testament to his boundless energy, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to fostering a community that celebrates human potential.