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), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist, Scientist
Early Life and Education
- Early childhood in Munich, Germany.
- Attended Luitpold Gymnasium but left without graduating.
- Completed his secondary education in Aarau, Switzerland.
- Graduated from the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich in 1900 with a diploma in physics.
- Obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Zurich in 1905.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern (1902-1909).
- Published groundbreaking papers in 1905, often referred to as his "Annus Mirabilis" papers.
- Professor at the University of Zurich, Charles University of Prague, and ETH Zurich.
- Director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics in Berlin.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Emigrated to the United States in 1933 and joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
- Wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 urging research into atomic weapons.
Notable Works
- Annus Mirabilis Papers (1905):
- Paper on Brownian Motion
- Paper on the Photoelectric Effect
- Paper on Special Relativity
- Paper on Mass-Energy Equivalence (E=mc²)
- General Theory of Relativity (1915)
- Cosmological Considerations in the General Theory of Relativity (1917)
- Unified Field Theory (attempted)
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein's theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. He is considered one of the most influential scientists of all time, with his work shaping modern physics and cosmology. The impact of his work extends far beyond the scientific community, influencing philosophical, cultural, and political thought.
Researching comprehensive biographies like kim herforth nielsen biography of albert einstein, is essential for gaining a deep appreciation of Einstein's impact.