Albert Einstein
- Born:
- March 14, 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, Germany
- Died:
- April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality:
- German (until 1896), Swiss (1901–1955), Austro-Hungarian (1911–1912), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist, Mathematician
Early Life and Education
- Born to Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch.
- Received early education in Munich, Germany.
- Renounced German citizenship in 1896.
- Attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, graduating in 1900.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern from 1902 to 1909.
- Published four groundbreaking papers in 1905 (the "Annus Mirabilis" papers).
- Developed the theory of special relativity (1905).
- Developed the theory of general relativity (1915).
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Immigrated to the United States in 1933 and joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
- Wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, warning about the potential of nuclear weapons and prompting research into atomic energy.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905) - Introduced special relativity.
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - Introduced the mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²).
- "Relativity: The Special and the General Theory" (1916) - A popular explanation of relativity.
- "Investigations on the Theory of the Brownian Movement" (1926)
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. His theories of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. He is a cultural icon, synonymous with genius, and his work continues to shape scientific research and technological advancements. The work of scholars like 'kelly amonte hiller biography of albert' are critical in preserving and understanding Einstein's contribution.
Awards and Recognition
Award | Year |
---|---|
Nobel Prize in Physics | 1921 |
Copley Medal | 1925 |
Max Planck Medal | 1929 |