# Albert Einstein

> german-born theoretical physicist (1879–1955)

**Wikidata**: [Q937](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q937)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/albert-einstein

## Summary

Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] to parents Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch. He held citizenship in the Kingdom of Württemberg, experienced statelessness, and later became a citizen of Switzerland[28][29][30][27]. His education included attendance at the Luitpold-Gymnasium, the old Kantonsschule (Albert Einstein House), ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich[2][31][32]. He was married to Mileva Marić from 1903 to 1919 and to Elsa Einstein from 1919 to 1936[27], and he had three children: Hans Albert Einstein, Eduard Einstein, and Lieserl (Einstein)[27]. His religion was agnosticism[33].He worked in the field of theoretical physics and held occupations as a theoretical physicist, philosopher of science, inventor, science writer, pedagogue, and university teacher[13]. His employers included the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property from 1902 to 1909, the University of Zurich from 1909 to 1911, the German University in Prague from 1911 to 1912, and Charles University[34]. He held the position of professor starting in 1911.Throughout his career, he received numerous awards, including the Barnard Medal for Meritorious Service to Science, the Nobel Prize in Physics, the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Prix Jules Janssen, the Matteucci Medal, the Max Planck Medal, and two others[35][36][37]. He died on April 18, 1955, in Princeton from an abdominal aortic aneurysm[1][25][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][24][38][27].

## Summary
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist (1879–1955) best known for developing the theory of relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. His work laid the foundation for modern physics and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.

## Biography
- Born: March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany
- Nationality: German (later stateless)
- Education:
  - Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich (1896–1900)
  - University of Zurich (1900–1902)
  - University of Bern (1902–1903)
  - University of Strasbourg (1903–1905)
- Known for: Developing the theory of relativity and the mass-energy equivalence formula E=mc²
- Employer(s):
  - Swiss Patent Office (1902–1909)
  - University of Bern (1909–1911)
  - University of Zurich (1911–1914)
  - German University in Prague (1911–1912)
  - Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics (1914–1933)
  - Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (1933–1955)
- Field(s): Theoretical physics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics

## Contributions
- **Theory of Relativity (1905)**: Developed special relativity, which introduced the concept of spacetime and the famous equation E=mc², showing that mass and energy are interchangeable.
- **General Theory of Relativity (1915)**: Proposed that gravity is caused by the curvature of spacetime, revolutionizing our understanding of gravity and the structure of the universe.
- **Photoelectric Effect (1905)**: Explained how light interacts with matter, leading to the development of quantum theory.
- **Brownian Motion (1905)**: Provided evidence for the existence of atoms, supporting the atomic theory.
- **Special Relativity (1905)**: Introduced the concept of time dilation and length contraction, showing that time and space are relative to an observer's motion.
- **Einstein Solid (1907)**: Developed a model of a crystalline solid that contains a large number of independent three-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillators of the same frequency.
- **Einstein Field Equations (1915)**: Formulated the field equations in general relativity, which describe how matter and energy curve spacetime.
- **Bose-Einstein Statistics (1924)**: Developed the statistical description for the behavior of bosons, which are particles that obey Bose-Einstein statistics.
- **Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox (1935)**: Proposed a thought experiment that challenged the completeness of quantum mechanics, leading to the development of quantum entanglement.
- **Unified Field Theory (1930s–1950s)**: Attempted to unify general relativity and electromagnetism, but his efforts were not successful.
- **Einstein Refrigerator (1930)**: Invented an absorption refrigerator, which uses heat to cool a space without the need for electricity.
- **Einstein Telescope (2010s)**: Proposed a gravitational wave detector under design, which would be used to detect gravitational waves from the merger of black holes and neutron stars.
- **Einstein Notation (1916)**: Developed a shorthand notation for tensor operations, which is widely used in physics and mathematics.
- **Einstein Coefficients (1916)**: Developed quantities describing the probability of absorption or emission of light, which are widely used in quantum mechanics.
- **Einstein Ring (1936)**: Proposed the concept of a gravitational lens, which is an image of a distant light source that has been distorted into a ring through gravitational lensing caused by an object with an extremely large mass.
- **Einstein Solid (1907)**: Developed a model of a crystalline solid that contains a large number of independent three-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillators of the same frequency.
- **Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox (1935)**: Proposed a thought experiment that challenged the completeness of quantum mechanics, leading to the development of quantum entanglement.
- **Einstein Refrigerator (1930)**: Invented an absorption refrigerator, which uses heat to cool a space without the need for electricity.
- **Einstein Telescope (2010s)**: Proposed a gravitational wave detector under design, which would be used to detect gravitational waves from the merger of black holes and neutron stars.
- **Einstein Notation (1916)**: Developed a shorthand notation for tensor operations, which is widely used in physics and mathematics.
- **Einstein Coefficients (1916)**: Developed quantities describing the probability of absorption or emission of light, which are widely used in quantum mechanics.
- **Einstein Ring (1936)**: Proposed the concept of a gravitational lens, which is an image of a distant light source that has been distorted into a ring through gravitational lensing caused by an object with an extremely large mass.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Albert Einstein known for?
A: Albert Einstein is best known for developing the theory of relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. His work laid the foundation for modern physics and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.

### Q: Where did Albert Einstein study?
A: Albert Einstein studied at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich (1896–1900), the University of Zurich (1900–1902), the University of Bern (1902–1903), and the University of Strasbourg (1903–1905).

### Q: Where did Albert Einstein work?
A: Albert Einstein worked at the Swiss Patent Office (1902–1909), the University of Bern (1909–1911), the University of Zurich (1911–1914), the German University in Prague (1911–1912), the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics (1914–1933), and the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (1933–1955).

### Q: What is the theory of relativity?
A: The theory of relativity is a set of principles developed by Albert Einstein that revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. It includes special relativity, which introduced the concept of spacetime and the famous equation E=mc², and general relativity, which proposed that gravity is caused by the curvature of spacetime.

### Q: What is the photoelectric effect?
A: The photoelectric effect is the phenomenon in which light interacts with matter, causing the emission of electrons. Albert Einstein explained the photoelectric effect in 1905, which led to the development of quantum theory.

### Q: What is the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox?
A: The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox is a thought experiment proposed by Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen in 1935 that challenged the completeness of quantum mechanics. It led to the development of quantum entanglement.

### Q: What is the Einstein refrigerator?
A: The Einstein refrigerator is an absorption refrigerator invented by Albert Einstein in 1930. It uses heat to cool a space without the need for electricity.

### Q: What is the Einstein telescope?
A: The Einstein telescope is a gravitational wave detector under design that would be used to detect gravitational waves from the merger of black holes and neutron stars. It is named after Albert Einstein.

### Q: What is Einstein notation?
A: Einstein notation is a shorthand notation for tensor operations developed by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is widely used in physics and mathematics.

### Q: What are Einstein coefficients?
A: Einstein coefficients are quantities describing the probability of absorption or emission of light developed by Albert Einstein in 1916. They are widely used in quantum mechanics.

### Q: What is an Einstein ring?
A: An Einstein ring is an image of a distant light source that has been distorted into a ring through gravitational lensing caused by an object with an extremely large mass. It is named after Albert Einstein.

## Why They Matter
Albert Einstein's contributions to physics have had a profound and lasting impact on the scientific community and society as a whole. His development of the theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity, leading to advancements in astronomy, cosmology, and technology. The mass-energy equivalence formula E=mc², derived from his work, has become one of the most famous equations in history and has applications in nuclear energy, particle physics, and astrophysics. Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect provided evidence for the existence of atoms and laid the foundation for quantum theory. His work on Brownian motion supported the atomic theory and contributed to the development of statistical mechanics. Einstein's development of the Einstein solid model provided a framework for understanding the behavior of crystalline solids. His proposal of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox challenged the completeness of quantum mechanics and led to the development of quantum entanglement. Einstein's invention of the absorption refrigerator has applications in refrigeration and air conditioning. His proposal of the Einstein telescope has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe and the nature of gravity. Einstein's development of Einstein notation has become a standard tool in physics and mathematics. His development of Einstein coefficients has become a standard tool in quantum mechanics. His proposal of the Einstein ring has become a standard tool in astronomy and cosmology. Einstein's work has inspired generations of scientists and continues to shape our understanding of the universe and the nature of reality.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Physics (1921)**: Awarded for his explanation of the photoelectric effect and his work on the theory of relativity.
- **Mass-Energy Equivalence (E=mc²)**: One of the most famous equations in history, which shows that mass and energy are interchangeable.
- **Theory of Relativity**: Revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity, leading to advancements in astronomy, cosmology, and technology.
- **Photoelectric Effect**: Provided evidence for the existence of atoms and laid the foundation for quantum theory.
- **Brownian Motion**: Supported the atomic theory and contributed to the development of statistical mechanics.
- **Einstein Solid**: Provided a framework for understanding the behavior of crystalline solids.
- **Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox**: Challenged the completeness of quantum mechanics and led to the development of quantum entanglement.
- **Einstein Refrigerator**: Invented an absorption refrigerator, which uses heat to cool a space without the need for electricity.
- **Einstein Telescope**: Proposed a gravitational wave detector under design, which would be used to detect gravitational waves from the merger of black holes and neutron stars.
- **Einstein Notation**: Developed a shorthand notation for tensor operations, which is widely used in physics and mathematics.
- **Einstein Coefficients**: Developed quantities describing the probability of absorption or emission of light, which are widely used in quantum mechanics.
- **Einstein Ring**: Proposed the concept of a gravitational lens, which is an image of a distant light source that has been distorted into a ring through gravitational lensing caused by an object with an extremely large mass.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany, to Hermann Einstein, a German Jewish engineer and physicist, and Pauline Koch, a musician. He was the third of four children. Einstein showed an early interest in science and mathematics, and his family encouraged his intellectual pursuits. In 1894, he enrolled at the Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich, where he excelled in mathematics and physics. In 1896, he entered the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, where he studied engineering and physics. He graduated in 1900 with a diploma in engineering. In 1900, he enrolled at the University of Zurich, where he studied under the guidance of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the discoverer of X-rays. In 1902, he obtained his doctorate in physics with a thesis on the molecular dimensions of crystals. In 1903, he enrolled at the University of Bern, where he studied under the guidance of Max Planck, the founder of quantum theory. In 1905, he enrolled at the University of Strasbourg, where he studied under the guidance of Paul Drude, a pioneer in the study of electron theory.

### Career and Research
In 1902, Einstein began working at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern, where he developed his theory of special relativity. In 1905, he published his groundbreaking paper "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies," which introduced the concept of spacetime and the famous equation E=mc². In 1909, he was appointed as a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Bern. In 1911, he was appointed as a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Zurich. In 1914, he was appointed as a professor of theoretical physics at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics in Berlin. In 1933, he was appointed as a professor of theoretical physics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. In 1955, he died in Princeton, New Jersey, at the age of 76.

### Contributions to Physics
Einstein's contributions to physics include the development of the theory of relativity, the explanation of the photoelectric effect, the support of the atomic theory through his work on Brownian motion, the development of the Einstein solid model, the proposal of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, the invention of the Einstein refrigerator, the proposal of the Einstein telescope, the development of Einstein notation, the development of Einstein coefficients, and the proposal of the Einstein ring.

### Awards and Honors
Einstein received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921, the Copley Medal in 1925, the Max Planck Medal in 1929, the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts in 1921, the Franklin Medal in 1931, the Barnard Medal for Meritorious Service to Science in 1931, the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1931, the Prix Jules Janssen in 1931, the Matteucci Medal in 1931, the Josiah Willard Gibbs Lectureship in 1931, the honorary doctorate from the University of Geneva in 1931, the honorary doctor of the University of Madrid Complutense in 1931, the Great Immigrants Award in 1931, the doctor honoris causa from the University of Paris in 1931, the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 1931, and the Albert Einstein Medal in 1979.

### Legacy and Influence
Albert Einstein's legacy and influence on physics and society as a whole are profound and lasting. His development of the theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity, leading to advancements in astronomy, cosmology, and technology. The mass-energy equivalence formula E=mc², derived from his work, has become one of the most famous equations in history and has applications in nuclear energy, particle physics, and astrophysics. Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect provided evidence for the existence of atoms and laid the foundation for quantum theory. His work on Brownian motion supported the atomic theory and contributed to the development of statistical mechanics. Einstein's development of the Einstein solid model provided a framework for understanding the behavior of crystalline solids. His proposal of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox challenged the completeness of quantum mechanics and led to the development of quantum entanglement. Einstein's invention of the absorption refrigerator has applications in refrigeration and air conditioning. His proposal of the Einstein telescope has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe and the nature of gravity. Einstein's development of Einstein notation has become a standard tool in physics and mathematics. His development of Einstein coefficients has become a standard tool in quantum mechanics. His proposal of the Einstein ring has become a standard tool in astronomy and cosmology. Einstein's work has inspired generations of scientists and continues to shape our understanding of the universe and the nature of reality.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://www.ige.ch/de/ueber-uns/einstein.html)
3. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
4. Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
5. Catalog of the German National Library
6. [Source](http://www.einstein-bern.ch)
7. BnF authorities
8. Leidse Hoogleraren
9. BeWeB
10. [Source](https://www.einstein-website.de/z_information/verschiedenes.html)
11. JSTOR
12. [Source](http://www.einsteinsommerhaus.de/index.php?id=539&no_cache=1)
13. [Source](http://www.einsteinsommerhaus.de/index.php?id=539)
14. [Source](https://newspapers.ushmm.org/events/albert-einstein-quits-germany-renounces-citizenship)
15. [Source](https://www.library.ethz.ch/en/Resources/Digital-library/Einstein-Online/Einstein-s-Studies-at-the-Polytechnic-Institute-in-Zurich-1896-1900)
16. A New Determination of Molecular Dimensions
17. [Zhou Peiyuan Is Dead; Educator-Scientist, 91](http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/25/obituaries/zhou-peiyuan-is-dead-educator-scientist-91.html)
18. [THEATER REVIEW;A Fantasy Meeting of Minds](http://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/23/theater/theater-review-a-fantasy-meeting-of-minds.html)
19. The Fine Art Archive
20. [The Speed of Broken Light: A meditation on duration and performance by Ted Hiebert](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13528165.2012.728445)
21. [Neutral monism reconsidered by Erik C. Banks](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09515081003690418)
22. [Einstein: his life and universe](http://www.smh.com.au/news/book-reviews/einstein-his-life-and-universe/2007/06/22/1182019350450.html?page=fullpage)
23. [Modern-Day Einstein Smashes Flaming Golf Ball, Sets Pants on Fire](http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2172365-modern-day-einstein-smashes-flaming-golf-ball-sets-pants-on-fire)
24. Special Relativity and how it all began. BBC Programme Catalogue
25. [A brief history of mathematics Episodes](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00srz5b/episodes/player)
26. [A-Z for Norfolk Science, A:Albert Einstein](http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/kids/science/az_alberteinstein.shtml)
27. [Digitized residence applications of the Prague Police Directorate  (conscription) 1850–1914](http://digi.nacr.cz/prihlasky2/index.php?action=link&ref=czarch:CZ-100000010:874&karton=3&folium=290)
28. [Sieben Jahre «Schusterhandwerk»](https://www.ige.ch/de/ueber-uns/einstein/einstein-beim-amt.html)
29. [Albert Einstein und das IGE](https://www.ige.ch/de/ueber-uns/einstein.html)
30. [Letter to M. Berkowitz, 25 October 1950](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2687/4496554935_0b573db853_o.jpg)
31. [Albert Einstein: Notes for an Autobiography. 1949](https://archive.org/details/EinsteinAutobiography/page/n1)
32. [The Nobel Prize in Physics 1921. Nobel Foundation](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1921/index.html)
33. [The Nobel Prize amounts](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
34. [Award winners : Copley Medal. Royal Society](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
35. [The Hebrew University awards honorary degrees](http://www3.huji.ac.il/htbin/hon_doc/doc_search.pl?search)
36. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
37. [Source](https://www.carnegie.org/awards/great-immigrants/2009-great-immigrants/)
38. [Source](https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/who-we-are/our-people/our-fellows/all-honorary-fellows/)
39. [Liste des docteurs honoris causa de l'Université de Paris de 1918 à 1933 inclus. Annales de l'Université de Paris. 1934](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k93885z/f95.item)
40. [Source](https://njhalloffame.org/hall-of-famers/2008-inductees/albert-einstein/)
41. Eine neue Bestimmung der MoleküldimensionenMathematics Subject Classification: 70—Mechanics of particles and systems. Mathematics Genealogy Project
42. [Virtual International Authority File](https://viaf.org/hosted/xa/2367/)
43. CiNii Research
44. MusicBrainz
45. Lingua Libre
46. Q137170397
47. [Source](http://www.dichistoriasaude.coc.fiocruz.br/iah/pt/verbetes/acadbrci.htm)
48. [Source](http://www.abc.org.br/membro/albert-einstein/)
49. [Albert Einstein – NAS](https://www.nasonline.org/directory-entry/albert-einstein-txkyyv/)
50. [Source](https://www.japan-acad.go.jp/en/members/bukko/bukko_kyakuin.html)