According to Scottish experts, short people are less intelligent than the tall ones. Academics identified genes that influence both height and IQ, and said there was a ‘significant genetic correlation’ between the two factors.

The research, which covered almost 7000 unrelated people, is the first to analyse DNA markers in such a way. Riccardo Marioni, from Edinburgh University’s Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, said the link was very important.

He said: «We tested whether DNA-based genetic similarities among people related to their similarities in height and intelligence. Our results show, that people who are taller tend to be smarter.»

Among tall people who can prove the theory is David Cameron, 1,85 meters high. Others include actress Kate Beckinsale, who studied French and Russian literature at Oxford and is fluent in both languages. Also an example of a tall and intelligent man is a lover of puzzles Stephen Fry whose height is 1,95 m.

Marioni led the study partnership with academics from Aberdeen University and University College London. They based their findings on data compiled from thousands of people recruited for the Scottish Family Health Study between 2006 and 2011. IQ was measured by tests which examined reaction times, powers of recall and linguistic ability.