Nathan Thomas, an engineer and educator from the United States, has entered the Guinness World Records books as the youngest male professor in history. Guinness World Records confirmed the recognition on 27 July 2026, noting that Thomas joined the faculty of Miami Dade College at the age of 18 years and 346 days.
The record had remained unbroken for centuries. Thomas broke a record standing for 300 years to reach the title. The previous holder, Scottish mathematician Colin Maclaurin, took up a professorship in 1717 at age 19 and kept the record for 306 years.
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In August 2023, Thomas walked into COP 2270: C for Engineers at Miami Dade College and found a room full of faces close to his own age. He proceeded to lead the class through computing and programming topics that he had studied not long before, at an age younger than several of his students.
Speaking to Guinness World Records about the experience, Thomas said age posed no obstacle in the lecture hall: “Once you’re in that setting, everyone’s there for the same reason, which is to learn. Age doesn’t really factor into that.” He continued: “I just focus on trying to do my job well and helping students in whatever way I can. If someone’s willing to put in the effort, that’s really all that matters to me.”
