# Kim Peek

> American savant (1951–2009)

**Wikidata**: [Q296790](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296790)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Peek)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kim-peek

## Summary
Kim Peek was an American savant and mnemonist known for his exceptional memory, which inspired the character of Raymond Babbitt in the film *Rain Man*. Born on November 11, 1951, and passing away on December 19, 2009, he possessed a unique ability to recall vast amounts of data across numerous subjects.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 11, 1951
- **Died**: December 19, 2009
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Alternate Names**: Laurence Kim Peek
- **Known for**: Being a savant and mnemonist with exceptional memory capabilities
- **Field(s)**: Savant Syndrome, Memory retention and recall

## Contributions
Kim Peek's primary contribution to public knowledge lies in his status as a prodigious savant. While the source material does not list specific publications or patents, his life and capabilities served as the direct inspiration for the Academy Award-winning film *Rain Man*. His existence provided a critical case study for neuroscientists and researchers studying the boundaries of human memory and savant syndrome. He demonstrated the ability to retain information from vast subjects, challenging existing scientific understanding of the human brain.

## FAQs
**What was Kim Peek’s nationality?**
Kim Peek was a citizen of the United States.

**What are the key dates associated with Kim Peek?**
He was born on November 11, 1951, and died on December 19, 2009.

**What specific condition or ability is Kim Peek known for?**
He is identified as a savant and a mnemonist, recognized for the ability to remember and recall unusually long lists of data.

**Is there an alternate name for Kim Peek?**
Yes, he is also known by the full name Laurence Kim Peek.

## Why They Matter
Kim Peek matters significantly to the fields of neuroscience and popular culture. As a verified instance of a "mega-savant," he expanded the scientific understanding of memory capacity and information retention. His life challenged conventional wisdom regarding cognitive limitations and brain function. Culturally, his influence is profound; he was the inspiration for the character Raymond Babbitt in the 1988 film *Rain Man*, which brought the concept of savant syndrome into global public consciousness and sparked widespread discussion about neurodiversity.

## Notable For
- **Inspiration for *Rain Man***: The direct inspiration for the main character in the film *Rain Man*.
- **Prodigious Memory**: Recognized as a mnemonist capable of recalling unusually long lists of data.
- **Savant Syndrome**: A prominent case study of Savant Syndrome.
- **Extensive Documentation**: Subject of extensive documentation including photos dated January 16, 2007, and specific medical diagnoses.

## Body
### Early Life and Identity
Laurence Kim Peek was born on November 11, 1951. He was an American citizen and a member of the species *Homo sapiens*. Throughout his life, he was recognized under the name Kim Peek. He passed away on December 19, 2009.

### Cognitive Profile and Abilities
Kim Peek was classified as a savant and a mnemonist. A mnemonist is defined as an individual with the ability to remember and recall unusually long lists of data. His specific condition, Savant Syndrome, was documented in diagnostic records and photographs, such as the image titled "Kim Peek, diagnosed with Savant syndrome.jpg." His cognitive abilities allowed him to process and retain information in ways that were distinct from the general population.

### Cultural Impact and Media
Peek's unique capabilities attracted significant media attention. He is notably the inspiration for the character Raymond Babbitt in the movie *Rain Man*. This connection cemented his legacy in popular culture as the real-life figure behind one of cinema's most famous depictions of savant syndrome. Photographs of him, such as one taken on January 16, 2007, remain part of the public record.

### Identifiers and Records
Kim Peek is extensively cataloged in knowledge bases and library systems worldwide, reflecting his status as a person of interest in both scientific and popular domains. His records include:
- **Wikidata Identifier**: Q6885897 (instance of human)
- **Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN)**: no00030570
- **VIAF ID**: 24140469
- **ISNI**: 0000000043152056
- **Freebase ID**: /m/039dys
- **IMDb ID**: nm1652900
- **SNAC ID**: 45693276
- **National Library of the Czech Republic ID**: jo2012706636
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: kg:/m/039dys
- **Quora Topic ID**: Kim-Peek-1
- **Facebook Entities ID**: person/225f96e9-ef4a-489d-a3ea-8e49f7d0400e

He is also associated with various other digital identifiers including P214, P244, P345, P373, P535, P935, P1263, P2163, P2949, P3417, P4985, P6640, P10832, P12098, P13204, and P13591. His Wikipedia presence includes 39 sitelinks, indicating broad international recognition.

## References

1. Find a Grave
2. [Source](http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_14043625)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/us/27peek.html)
6. Quora