Albert Einstein
- Born:
- 14 March 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, Germany
- Died:
- 18 April 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality:
- German (1879–1896), Swiss (1901–1955), Austrian (1911–1912), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist, Author
Early Life and Education
- Initially spoke haltingly, causing concern to his parents.
- Developed a deep fascination with science and mathematics at a young age.
- Attended Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich but left without graduating.
- Completed his secondary education in Aarau, Switzerland.
- Graduated from the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich in 1900.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern from 1902 to 1909.
- Published four 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 (published in 1915).
- Won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Immigrated to the United States in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution.
- Joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905) - Introduces special relativity.
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - Introduces the mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²).
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916)
- "Relativity: The Special and the General Theory" (1916) - A popular explanation of relativity.
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. His theories of relativity reshaped physics and cosmology. His work continues to influence scientific thought and technological advancements. The enduring interest in his life and work is reflected in publications like mitsias manolis biography of albert einstein, which seek to understand the man and his revolutionary contributions.