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Albert Einstein Biography

Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879 and became one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. As a child and student, he struggled in school and was considered dim, but developed a passion for math and science. His theories of relativity and E=mc2 revolutionized physics and laid the framework for new branches of the field. Later in life, he fled Nazi Germany and immigrated to the United States, where he continued his scientific work and advocated for civil rights causes. Einstein died in 1955 at the age of 76.

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3K views4 pages

Albert Einstein Biography

Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879 and became one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. As a child and student, he struggled in school and was considered dim, but developed a passion for math and science. His theories of relativity and E=mc2 revolutionized physics and laid the framework for new branches of the field. Later in life, he fled Nazi Germany and immigrated to the United States, where he continued his scientific work and advocated for civil rights causes. Einstein died in 1955 at the age of 76.

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Alena Joseph
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Albert Einstein Biography

Born in 1879, Ulm Germany, Albert Einstein was to become the most
celebrated scientist of the Twentieth Century. His theories were to lay the
framework for new branches of physics. He also become well known as a
humanitarian, speaking out against nuclear weapons weapons he had
indirectly contributed towards creating.
Einstein is one of the undisputed genius of the Twentieth Century, but,
his early academic reports suggested anything but a glittering career in
academia. His early teachers found him dim and slow to learn. Part of the
problem was that Albert expressed no interest in learning languages and
learning by rote that was popular at the time.
School failed me, and I failed the school. It bored me. The
teachers behaved like Feldwebel (sergeants). I wanted to learn
what I wanted to know, but they wanted me to learn for the
exam. Einstein and the Poet (1983)
However, at the age of 12, he picked up a book on geometry and read it
cover to cover. He would later refer to it as his holy booklet. He
became fascinated by maths and taught himself becoming acquainted
with the great scientific discoveries of the age.
Around this time, his fathers family business failed and so the family
moved to Milan, Italy. Despite Alberts fascination with maths, he still
languished at school. Eventually he was asked to leave by the school
because his indifference was setting a bad example to other students.

On leaving school he decided to become a maths teacher to help support


him in his studies of maths and physics.
He applied for admission to the Federal institute of Technology in Zurich.
His first attempt was a failure because he failed exams in botany,
zoology and languages. However, he passed the next year and in 1900
became a Swiss citizen. He later married Mileva Marec; they had two
sons before divorcing several years later.
Albert Einsteins Scientific Contributions
Quantum Theory
Einstein suggested that light doesnt just travel as waves but as electric
currents. This photoelectric effect could force metals to release tiny
stream of particles known as quanta. From this Quantum Theory, other
inventors were able to develop devices such as television and movies. He
was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921
Special Theory of Relativity
This theory was written in a simple style with no footnotes or academic
references. The core of his theory of relativity is that:
Movement can only be detected and measured as relative
movement; the change of position of one body in respect to
another.
Thus there is no fixed absolute standard of comparison for judging the
motion of the earth or plants. It was revolutionary because previously
people had thought time and distance are absolutes. But, Einstein proved
this not to be true.
He also said that if electrons travelled at close to the speed of light, there
weight would increase
This lead to Einsteins famous equation:
E= mc2
Where E = energy . m = mass and c = speed of light.
General Theory of Relativity 1916
Working from basis of special relativity. Einstein sought to express all
physical laws using equations based on mathematical equations.
He devoted the last period of his life trying to formulate a final unified
field theory which included a rational explanation for electromagnetism.

However, he was to be frustrated in searching for this final break through


theory.
As a German Jew, Einstein was threatened by the rise of the Nazi party. In
1933, when the Nazis seized power, they confiscated Einsteins property
and Einstein (then in England) took an offer to go to Princeton university
in the US. He later wrote, he never had strong opinions about race and
nationality. He saw himself as a citizen of the world.
I do not believe in race as such. Race is a fraud. All modern
people are the conglomeration of so many ethnic mixtures that
no pure race remains.
Once in the US, Einstein dedicated himself to a strict discipline of
academic study. He would spend no time on maintaining his dress and
image. He considered these things inessential and meant less time for
his study. Although a bit of a loner, and happy in his own company, he
had a good sense of humour. Gravitation is not responsible for people
falling in love.
Einstein professed belief in a God Who reveals himself in the harmony of
all being. But, he followed no established religion. His view of God,
sought to establish a harmony between science and religion.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Einstein Science and Religion (1941)
Politics of Einstein
Einstein described himself as a Zionist Socialist. He did support the state
of Israel, but, became concerned about the narrow nationalism of the
new state. In 1952, he was offered the position as President of Israel, but,
he declined saying he had:
neither the natural ability nor the experience to deal with
human beings. I am deeply moved by the offer from our
State of Israel, and at once saddened and ashamed that I cannot
accept it.
Albert Einstein was involved in many civil rights movements such as the
American campaign to end lynching
On the outbreak of war in 1939, Einstein wrote to President Roosevelt
about the prospect of atomic bomb. He warned Roosevelt that the
Germans were working on it. Roosevelt headed his advice and started
the Manhattan project. But, after the war ended, Einstein reverted to his

pacifist views. Einstein said after the war.


Had I known that the Germans would not succeed in producing
an atomic bomb, I would not have lifted a finger. (Newsweek,
(10 March 1947)
He was scrutinised closely in the McCarthyite era for potential
Communist links. He wrote article in favour of Socialism, criticised
Capitalism and criticised the arms race. Einstein remarked:
I do not know how the third World War will be fought, but I can tell you
what they will use in the Fourthrocks!
Einstein died in 1955, at his request his brain and vital organs were
removed for scientific study.

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