Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist widely acknowledged as one of the most influential scientists of all time. His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science.

Life and Accomplishments:

• Born: March 14, 1879, Ulm, German Empire (present-day Germany)
• Died: April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
• Nationality: German (until 1895), Swiss (1895–1940), stateless (1940–1945), American (from 1940)
• Known for:
  • Theory of relativity: revolutionised our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe.
  • Mass–energy equivalence formula (E = mc²): one of the most famous equations in physics.
  • Photoelectric effect: explained the behaviour of light and matter at the atomic level.
• Awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics “for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.”

Einstein’s Legacy:

• His work continues to be studied and debated by physicists and philosophers today.
• He is considered a cultural icon, and his name is synonymous with genius.
• His image is often used to represent science and intellectual achievement.