Albert Einstein
- Born:
- 14 March 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, German Empire
- Died:
- 18 April 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality:
- German (until 1896), Swiss (1901–1955), Austrian (1911–1912), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist
Early Life and Education
- Born in Ulm, Germany, to Hermann and Pauline Einstein.
- Family moved to Munich shortly after his birth.
- Received early education in a Catholic elementary school.
- Attended Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich.
- Renounced German citizenship at age 16.
- Graduated from the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich in 1900.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a patent clerk in Bern, Switzerland (1902–1909).
- Published groundbreaking papers in 1905, known as his "Annus Mirabilis" (Miracle Year).
- Professor at the University of Zurich (1909–1911), Charles University in Prague (1911–1912), and ETH Zurich (1912–1914).
- Director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics in Berlin (1914–1933).
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
- Emigrated to the United States in 1933 due to the rise of Nazism.
- Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey (1933–1955).
- Wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, alerting him to the potential for atomic weapons.
Notable Works
- Published papers on Brownian motion, the photoelectric effect, special relativity, and mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²) in 1905.
- Developed the theory of general relativity (1907-1915).
- Published numerous scientific articles and books, including "Relativity: The Special and the General Theory".
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century and one of the greatest physicists of all time. His theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. He is also remembered for his advocacy for peace and social justice. This entry details the life and achievements of this remarkable figure, a summary of which can also be found within the larger context of paul jake castillo biography of albert einstein.