Albert Einstein
- Born:
- March 14, 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, Germany
- Died:
- April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality:
- German (1879–1896), Stateless (1896–1901), Swiss (1901–1955), German (1914–1918), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist, Scientist, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Received early education in Munich, Germany.
- Renounced German citizenship at age 16.
- Attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, Switzerland, graduating in 1900.
- Obtained a doctorate from the University of Zurich in 1905.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a patent clerk in Bern, Switzerland (1902-1909).
- Published his "Annus Mirabilis" papers in 1905, revolutionizing physics.
- Developed the theory of special relativity and general relativity.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 "for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect."
- Joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey in 1933 and remained there until his death.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905) - Special Relativity
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - Mass-Energy Equivalence (E=mc²)
- "On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" (1905) - Photoelectric Effect
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916) - General Relativity
- Numerous other scientific publications and essays.
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein's theories of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. His work laid the foundation for many modern technologies, including nuclear energy and GPS. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time, and his name has become synonymous with genius. Examining an 'augusta read thomas biography of albert' gives yet another perspective on the complex individual.