NAME Albert Einstein
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Einstein is famous for developing the theory of relativity, particularly special relativity and general relativity and his profound influence on the philosophy of science.
BIRTH Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, a city in the kingdom of Württemberg in the German empire. His birth marked the beginning of a life that would profoundly impact humanity's understanding of the universe and our place within it.
FAMILY BACKGROUND Einstein was born into a Jewish family, though they were non-observant in their religious practices. His father, Hermann Einstein, worked in the then-emerging electrical engineering business, while his mother, Pauline Koch, was a musician.
When Albert was one year old, the family moved to Munich, where his father and uncle founded Elektrotechnische Fabrik J. Einstein & Cie, a company that manufactured electrical equipment based on direct current. This early exposure to both technical and artistic environments may have influenced Einstein's later ability to think both analytically and creatively.
CHILDHOOD Einstein's early development was unusual in several notable ways. He was born missing part of the brain that influences speech and did not speak until the age of three. However, his parietal lobe, responsible for mathematical and spatial recognition, was abnormally large (later discovered to be 15% wider than normal). The 3-year-old Albert broke his silence at supper one night to say "The soup is too hot." When his parents asked why he hadn't talked before, he replied, "Because up to now everything was in order". (1)
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| Einstein aged 3 |
As a child, Einstein was known as "Beider Meier" (Honest John) because of his prodigiously accurate way of speaking. He enjoyed building card towers and doing jigsaws. Perhaps the most formative moment in his childhood occurred at age five when his father showed him a pocket compass. The young Einstein was fascinated by how something in "empty" space could act upon the compass needle, and he would later describe this experience as one of the most revelatory of his life.
EDUCATION Einstein's formal education began at a Munich Catholic elementary school, where he was considered a slow learner, possibly due to dyslexia, shyness, or the unusual structure of his brain. Two of his uncles fostered his intellectual interests during late childhood and early adolescence by providing books on science and mathematics.
In 1894, following the failure of Hermann's electrochemical business, the Einstein family moved to Pavia, Italy. Albert remained behind in Munich lodgings to finish school, but completed only one term before leaving in spring 1895 without telling his parents. He convinced the school to release him with a medical note from a friendly doctor.
Despite excelling in mathematics and science, Einstein failed the botany, zoology, and language sections of the entrance exams to Zurich's polytechnic on his first attempt. His family sent him to Aarau, Switzerland, to finish secondary school, where he received his diploma in September 1896.
At 17, Einstein finally entered the Swiss National Polytechnic in Zurich. He disliked the teaching methods there and often missed classes, using the time to study physics independently or play his beloved violin. While a student, he worked for extra money at Munich's Oktoberfest in 1896, screwing in light bulbs and helping construct the first light installation on the festival grounds. He graduated in 1900 by studying the notes of a classmate, as his professors did not think highly of him and would not recommend him for a university position. (2)
"I do not much believe in education. Each man ought to be his own model, however frightful that may be." Einstein
CAREER RECORD Einstein's professional journey began with rejection, as he could not find a teaching post after graduation. The father of a classmate helped him obtain employment as a technical assistant examiner at the Swiss Patent Office in Berne. This seemingly mundane position proved crucial to his development, providing him both financial stability and time to develop his revolutionary theories.
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| Einstein at the Swiss patent office, 1904 |
His academic career progressed as follows:
1905: Received his doctorate from the University of Zurich for a dissertation on molecular dimensions
1909: Appointed Lecturer in Theoretical Physics at the University of Zurich
1911: Offered a better-paid Professorship in Prague, though he was unhappy there due to anti-Semitism
1912: Returned to his old Zurich Polytechnic as professor
1913-1933: Worked as Director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin, earning substantial money while maintaining time for research
1922: Appointed to the League of Nations commission for intellectual cooperation, though he resigned a year later when the League refused to act on France's occupation of the Ruhr
1933: Deprived of his post by the Nazis, moved to America and was appointed Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies in Princeton, New Jersey
1940: Became an American citizen while retaining his Swiss citizenship
APPEARANCE Albert Einstein had what many would consider a classic scientist appearance with his distinctive unruly hair and contemplative gaze that seemed to look past immediate surroundings. He stood 5' 9¼" (1.76 m) tall and was described as thick-set and solidly built with a pale, sallow complexion. His appearance evolved over time, with his black hair eventually turning grey as he aged, but the characteristic disheveled look remained a constant throughout his life.
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| Einstein in 1947 |
FASHION Einstein deliberately minimized complexity in his personal appearance. He used the same soap for washing and shaving, claiming that using two different kinds would needlessly complicate life. Similarly, he minimized his wardrobe to avoid wasting time deciding what to wear each day.
Einstein often wore grey suits and also favored a Levi's leather jacket. (3)
One of his most distinctive habits was never wearing socks, which he deemed unnecessary. He had given them up as a child, reportedly annoyed by the holes made by his big toes.
His simple approach to personal appearance reflected his broader philosophy of focusing on what truly mattered to him—scientific inquiry and understanding the universe.
“Einstein didn’t wear socks. Geniuses don’t wear socks” Chris Martin Coldplay
CHARACTER Einstein was much respected for his kind and friendly demeanor, which was rooted in his pacifist beliefs.
Despite his intellectual prowess, he remained modest about his abilities and maintained distinctive attitudes that set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
Einstein embodied the stereotype of the "absent-minded professor," often forgetting everyday items like keys and becoming so focused on solving physics problems that he would become oblivious to his surroundings. This intense concentration allowed him to delve deeply into complex theoretical questions, but occasionally created challenges in his daily life and personal relationships.
SPEAKING VOICE He spoke English with a heavy German accent, reflecting his late learning of the language after emigrating to the U.S. in 1933.
Einstein delivered his first lecture in Britain in 1921 to an audience of 1,000 people at Manchester. During this presentation, Einstein spoke without notes in German for 48 minutes, demonstrating both his command of his subject matter and his ability to engage an audience despite language barriers.
SENSE OF HUMOUR Despite his serious intellectual pursuits, Einstein occasionally displayed a playful sense of humor. On his 72nd birthday on March 14, 1951, when a photographer tried to coax him into smiling for the camera (something he had done repeatedly that day), Einstein instead stuck out his tongue. This spontaneous gesture became one of his most iconic images.
Einstein's wit shone through in quotes like "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe," blending insight with humor.
His humor also extended to his explanation of relativity: "When you sit with a nice girl for two hours, you think it's only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute, you think it's two hours". This simple, humorous explanation made his complex theory more accessible to the general public. (4)
In his later years, when he was in his 70s, Einstein even tried to cheer up a depressed pet parrot by telling it jokes, showing his playful nature extended to animals as well.
RELATIONSHIPS Einstein's personal relationships were complex and sometimes tumultuous. At Zurich polytechnic, he met Mileva Marić, a young Serbian from Hungary whom he described as "shy, thin and exotic with thick dark hair" and who was becoming an accomplished physicist. They would work together in the laboratory long after other students had left, and he affectionately called her "Street Urchin" or "Little Frog".
In 1902, Mileva had an illegitimate daughter, Lieserl, who was born mentally handicapped and sent away for adoption. The fate of Lieserl remains unknown—some believe she died in infancy of scarlet fever, while others think she was adopted by a friend or family member. Einstein married Mileva on January 6, 1903 in Bern, Switzerland. The ceremony was simple and took place at the town hall, He described her as "a creature who is my equal and who is as strong and independent as I am". (4)
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| Albert and Mileva Einstein, 1912 |
The couple had two sons: Hans Albert (born May 14, 1904), who later became a professor of hydraulic engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and Eduard (born July 28, 1910), who was later institutionalized for schizophrenia and died aged 45 in an asylum.
Despite their intellectual partnership, with Mileva possibly being an unacknowledged co-discoverer of relativity, Einstein reportedly had "around ten mistresses" and told Mileva to "expect neither intimacy nor fidelity". (5)
When Einstein moved to Berlin in 1913, Mileva refused to join him as they had little in common and she had become increasingly sullen and uncommunicative. By then, Einstein had already begun a relationship with his second cousin, Elsa Löwenthal, a widow with two daughters from her first marriage. They divorced in 1919, with Einstein persuading Mileva to agree by offering her the money he would receive if he ever won a Nobel Prize—which she received when he was awarded the prize in 1921.
Einstein married Elsa on June 2, 1919 in Berlin, and adopted her two daughters, Ilsa and Margot. Elsa, described as motherly with a warm, sympathetic manner, was "an excellent manager of Einstein at home and on his travels". However, their marriage was reportedly undermined by Einstein's continuing affairs. When once asked if she understood her husband's theory of relativity, Elsa replied loyally, "No, but I know my husband. I know he can be trusted". Elsa died in 1936. (5)
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| Albert and Elsa Einstein, 1930 https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/zz002dd690 |
His closest friendship was with Nobel Prize-winning German physicist Max Born, who was also the grandfather of singer Olivia Newton John.
MONEY AND FAME During his tenure as Director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin (1913-1933), Einstein earned "a great deal of money" while still having ample time for research. His attitude toward fame was pragmatic—when reluctant to sign autographs, he would charge people a dollar before signing anything, then donate the proceeds to charity.
At his death, Einstein's net worth was about $1.25 million (1955 dollars, ~$11 million today), earned from salaries, lectures, and Nobel Prize money, much of which he gave to his first wife in their divorce settlement.
Einstein's prominence grew throughout his career, culminating in his recognition as "Personality of the Millennium" in a 1999 Reuters poll of leading figures in politics, business, and the arts. In the same year, he was also named "Person of the Century" by TIME magazine, cementing his status not just as a scientific genius but as a cultural icon whose influence transcended his field.
FOOD AND DRINK Einstein enjoyed simple meals like macaroni with sausages and apple pie. He also loved coffee and smoked cigars until advised to stop for health reasons. (6)
Einstein adopted a vegetarian diet in his later years, particularly in 1954, due to health reasons and moral considerations. In a letter from that year, he wrote that he was living "fatless, meatless, fishless" and felt comfortable with this lifestyle.
While Einstein generally avoided alcohol and believed it could spoil the mind, there are accounts of him occasionally drinking small amounts, such as sipping wine or cognac when served. However, these instances were rare, and he was not a regular drinker.
While working on his General Theory of Relativity during World War One, Einstein lived on a sparse diet of coffee, cheap sausages, and rolls. This simple diet reflected both the economic constraints of wartime and his tendency to prioritize intellectual work over material comforts.
MUSIC AND ARTS Einstein had a deep love of music, which provided him with both emotional sustenance and intellectual stimulation throughout his life. He relaxed by listening to Mozart and violin pieces by Yehudi Menuhin. More than just an appreciative listener, Einstein was an accomplished violinist himself, playing Bach and Mozart "with feeling and insight and with an excellent sense of rhythm".
During his time in Princeton, New Jersey, Einstein played violin in a string quartet, though one of the other players reportedly complained of him, "He can't count"—suggesting that his musical talents, while substantial, might have been hampered by his tendency to become absorbed in the emotional aspects of performance rather than strictly keeping time. (1)
His love of music occasionally clashed with his social obligations. Once, Einstein invited some friends to attend the Metropolitan Opera, but halfway through the second act he became bored and excused himself to get fresh air. The absent-minded scientist then got into his car and drove home, completely forgetting his friends whom he had driven to the event. They were forced to take a late train home. (7)
LITERATURE His literary tastes leaned towards philosophy and science, with influences from Spinoza and Kant.
Einstein published more than 300 scientific papers along with over 150 non-scientific works during his lifetime.
His 1921 book, The Meaning of Relativity, represents his only attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of general relativity that was accessible to non-specialists. This balance of specialist and more accessible writing reflected his commitment to both advancing scientific knowledge and communicating it to wider audiences.
NATURE Einstein loved sailing despite being an inexperienced sailor. He appreciated solitude on calm waters.
PETS He owned a dog named Chico Marx and a cat called Tiger during his time in Princeton.
Einstein was known to be sensitive to Tiger's moods, noting that the cat would become depressed when it rained. Einstein enjoyed Tiger's companionship and often found solace in his presence during challenging times in his work and life. This affection for cats aligns with Einstein's famous quote: "There are two means of refuge from the misery of life: music and cats." (8)
In his seventies, Einstein had a pet parrot that became depressed. Showing his compassionate side, Einstein tried to cheer up the bird by telling it jokes. This small anecdote offers a glimpse into his gentle nature and the care he extended to those around him, including animals.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Einstein's primary hobby was playing the violin, which he pursued with significant dedication throughout his life. He never learned to swim but enjoyed sailing as a recreational activity. Apart from sailing and music, Einstein enjoyed long walks as a form of relaxation.
His intellectual pursuits extended into his leisure time, as he devoted much of his library space to books on mathematical games. Interestingly, despite his love of mathematical puzzles, Einstein disliked competitive games, even chess. This preference perhaps reflects his view that intellectual exploration should be collaborative rather than competitive in nature.
SCIENCE AND MATHS Einstein had an exceptional aptitude for mathematics and physics. Einstein's work reshaped physics by introducing concepts like spacetime curvature (general relativity) and quantum theory contributions like the photon theory of light
Einstein’s mathematical genius was not, however, infallible. In 1917, he introduced the “cosmological constant” to his equations in an effort to preserve the idea of a static universe. Unfortunately, a few years later, another scientist, Alexander Friedmann, discovered that Einstein had made a simple algebraic error—he had, quite embarrassingly, divided by zero. The universe, as it turned out, was not static but expanding. Einstein later called this his “biggest idiocy.”
SCIENTIFIC CAREER In 1905, a 26-year-old patent clerk in Bern, Switzerland, changed physics forever—though no one quite noticed at first. His name was Albert Einstein, and his workplace, the Swiss Patent Office, was about as far from a bustling physics lab as you could get. It was a place devoted to assessing other people’s clever ideas, yet in his spare moments—when the boss wasn’t looking—Einstein was quietly revolutionizing our understanding of the universe.
That year, later dubbed his annus mirabilis (miracle year), he published four papers that would reshape physics. They covered:
(a) The photoelectric effect, showing that light travels in tiny particles called photons, which would later help lead to quantum mechanics.
(b) The speed of light, which he declared was the same no matter how fast you were moving when you measured it, an idea that delighted some and deeply annoyed others.
(c) Special relativity, which explained how time and space were not, as everyone had assumed, fixed and unyielding but instead stretchy and rather accommodating.
(d) The relationship between mass and energy, leading to the famous equation E=mc², the scientific equivalent of an international pop hit.
These papers didn’t immediately turn Einstein into a celebrity. After all, he was still a lowly patent clerk, and physicists were generally skeptical of major breakthroughs proposed by people who spent their days reviewing improvements to electric toothbrushes. But Einstein pressed on, and in 1907, he experienced what he later called his “happiest thought”—realizing that gravity and acceleration were fundamentally linked.
By 1913, Einstein had left the patent office behind and become an academic superstar. His relentless work on general relativity, however, was not without cost. He became so consumed by equations that he collapsed from exhaustion, shedding an alarming 56 pounds in just two months—something that, remarkably, did not prevent him from finishing his groundbreaking General Theory of Relativity which he presented to the Prussian Academy Of Sciences on November 25, 1915.
Then came the moment that made Einstein a global icon. In 1919, British astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington confirmed one of his key predictions: that light from distant stars bends as it passes by the Sun. Newspapers, delighted to have a genius to celebrate, splashed his image across front pages worldwide. Almost overnight, Einstein became a household name, despite the fact that most people had no idea what he was actually talking about.
In 1921, Einstein finally received the Nobel Prize—not for relativity, which was still considered controversial, but for his work on the photoelectric effect, which had the distinct advantage of being something experimentalists could actually confirm in a lab.
Somewhat less well known is that Einstein, in 1930, teamed up with physicist Leó Szilárd to invent the Einstein refrigerator, a marvel of engineering that operated without moving parts, relied only on a heat source, and was given the profoundly unromantic patent number US1781541 on November 11, 1930. It was an elegant device, though it never quite took off in the way that, say, E=mc² did.
The last decades of Einstein’s life were devoted to the pursuit of a unified theory of physics—an ambitious attempt to tie together the four fundamental forces of nature into a single, beautiful set of equations. It did not go well. His final work, published in 1949, contained ideas that could not be tested, making it about as useful to experimental physicists as a chocolate teapot.
Still, by the time of his death in 1955, Einstein had done more than enough. He had transformed physics, reshaped our understanding of the cosmos, and become the closest thing science had to a rock star. Not bad for a former patent clerk.
"There was a young lady named Bright
Whose speed was faster than light
He set out one day
And returned home the previous night"
Arthur Henry Reginall Buller Punch magazine 19/12 1923
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Although Einstein came from a non-observant Jewish family, he developed a nuanced perspective on religion and spirituality. He did not believe in a personal God or in Heaven and Hell, but he acknowledged the presence of something greater than human understanding in the universe, stating: "Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a Spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe. A Spirit vastly superior to that of man and one in the face of which we modest powers feel humble". (5)
Einstein named the 17th-century Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza as the thinker most influential on his worldview. When asked by a rabbi if he believed in God, Einstein replied: "I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings". (5)
His Theory of Relativity, which demonstrated that time can be altered when objects travel at speeds close to that of light, has been interpreted by some as suggesting that God and other heavenly beings could operate outside the limits of time and space. Einstein summarized his view on the relationship between science and religion with the famous quote: "Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind".
To Einstein time is. To Buddhists time is a circle. To Paul Getty time is a Rolex. To a Rolex salesman time is money. To a prisoner time is five more years.
Despite his pacifist principles, Einstein sent a letter to President Roosevelt on August 2, 1939, suggesting America start researching the atom bomb with war looking imminent, to prevent Germany from developing it first. Roosevelt agreed to set up the Manhattan Project under J. Robert Oppenheimer, with Einstein's special theory of relativity forming its theoretical basis. After witnessing the destructive power of atomic weapons, Einstein expressed regret, saying: "If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker". Following World War II, he campaigned vigorously for the abolition of all nuclear weapons.
In 1952, Einstein was offered the presidency of the newly established state of Israel, a remarkable honor that he declined, saying he had "no head for problems" and was "too naive" for such a position. Throughout his life, Einstein remained a vocal critic of racial segregation, militant nationalism, and capitalism—positions that led the FBI to compile over 1,400 pages of documents tracking his activities. (5)
SCANDAL Einstein’s personal life included infidelity and controversial views on monogamy. Letters revealed strained relationships with both wives.
MILITARY RECORD As a pacifist, Einstein did not serve in the military. However, during World War I in 1917, he did develop a new type of aerofoil section for a German aircraft manufacturer, though it was "not a great success".
In 1914, he signed a "Manifesto to the Europeans" advocating pacifist and internationalist ideals, demonstrating his commitment to peace even during wartime.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Einstein suffered lifelong stomach pains due to a weakness in the wall of a major abdominal blood vessel—the condition that would eventually cause his death.
In 1928, he was diagnosed with a heart condition.
His work habits sometimes took a toll on his health; after three years of working day and night on his General Theory of Relativity, he collapsed with stomach pains and lost four stone (56 pounds) in two months.
Einstein was wary of doctors and medicine in general, perhaps reflecting the more limited medical knowledge of his time or his tendency to trust his own judgment over conventional wisdom. He did, however, require significant amounts of rest, needing ten hours of sleep per night, or eleven hours if he was planning to do mathematical work the next day.
HOMES Einstein's life journey took him across multiple countries and homes:
While working as a patent clerk (1903-1905), he lived at Kramgasse 49 in Berne, which is now the Einstein House Museum
In 1917, Einstein moved into a flat opposite Elsa's in the same building on Haberland Strasse 5 in Berlin (this home was completely destroyed in a World War II air raid)
After fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933, he settled in Princeton, New Jersey
During World War II, he lived at Old Grove Road, Nassau Point, Peconic, Long Island under an assumed name to avoid journalists
His homes reflected simplicity rather than extravagance
TRAVEL Einstein never learned to drive a car, despite living in an era when automobiles became increasingly common.
In 1922, he and his wife Elsa boarded the S.S. Kitano Maru for Japan, a trip that also took them to other ports including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
In the 1920s he traveled extensively, lecturing in Asia (1922-1923, visiting Japan, China, Palestine), South America (1925, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil), and the U.S., Fatefully, he was in California when Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, which allowed him to avoid returning to Nazi Germany.
An amusing anecdote from his travels occurred when visiting Mount Wilson observatory in California with Elsa. When Mrs. Einstein pointed to a complex piece of equipment and asked its purpose, the guide explained it was used to determine the shape of the universe. "Oh," she said, unimpressed, "my husband uses the back of an old envelope to work that one out". (1)
DEATH After a long illness, Einstein was admitted to a hospital in Princeton, where he died during the night of April 18, 1955, when the weakness in the wall of a major abdominal blood vessel (an aortic aneurysm) finally burst. The only person present at his deathbed, a hospital nurse, reported that just before his death, he mumbled several words in German that she did not understand.
Einstein worked until a few hours before his death, leaving 12 pages by his bedside with the last line being the last equation he ever wrote.
During his autopsy, his eyes were removed and stored in a safety deposit box, later put up for auction in 1994. His brain was removed, cut into 240 pieces, preserved, and sent around America to be studied by specialists. Many of these remains were found in the 1970s inside an old cider carton in a doctor's office.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Einstein's distinctive appearance and legendary status have made him a recurring figure in popular culture:
The Super Furry Animals' 1997 single "Hermann Loves Pauline" about Einstein's parents reached #26 in the UK charts
Kelly Clarkson's song "Einstein" includes the lyrics "I may not be Einstein but dumb + dumb ='s YOU!"
The fifth verse of Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row" imagines a washed-up Albert Einstein living on Desolation Row
"Einstein A Go-Go" was a #5 hit in the UK for British group Landscape in 1982
Philip Glass's opera "Einstein on the Beach" premiered on July 25, 1976, at the Avignon Festival in France.
Einstein has been Portrayed in films like IQ (1994, Walter Matthau), Genius (2017, Geoffrey Rush, Johnny Flynn), and Oppenheimer (2023, Tom Conti)
The face of E.T. in Steven Spielberg's film was designed by putting Einstein's eyes and forehead onto a picture of a baby.
Yoda from Star Wars was also reportedly inspired by Einstein's appearance.
His likeness has been used in many advertisements.
ACHIEVEMENTS Nobel Prize in Physics (1921).
Development of the theory of relativity.
Revolutionized the understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe.
His work laid the foundation for modern physics.
Sources (1) The Faber Book Of Anecdotes (2) Encarta Encyclopedia (3) Levi Strauss & Co (4) Quoted in his obituary in New York Times 19/4/1955 (5) Encyclopaedia of Trivia (6) DIPC (7) Toastmasters Quips and Stories (8) Discover Magazine
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