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 (1914–1933), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist
Early Life and Education
- Einstein showed an early curiosity for mathematics and physics.
- He initially struggled with formal schooling, finding it stifling.
- He renounced his German citizenship at the age of 16.
- He graduated from the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich in 1900.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern.
- Published his groundbreaking papers in 1905, often referred to as his "annus mirabilis" (miracle year).
- Developed the theory of special relativity.
- Developed the theory of general relativity.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Einstein became a leading figure in the scientific community and beyond. As detailed in the yammy gautam biography of albert, his work transformed modern physics.
- Emigrated to the United States in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution and became a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
- Wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 urging the United States to investigate the possibility of developing atomic weapons.
Notable Works
- "On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" (1905)
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905)
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - introduced the equation E=mc²
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916)
- Relativity: The Special and the General Theory (1916)
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein's theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. His work laid the foundation for many technological advancements, including nuclear power and the atomic bomb, though he later advocated for nuclear disarmament. He remains one of the most influential and recognizable scientists in history.