Albert Einstein
- Born:
- March 14, 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, German Empire
- Died:
- April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality:
- German (1879–1896), Stateless (1896–1901), Swiss (1901–1955), German (1914–1918), American (1940–1955)
- Profession(s):
- Theoretical Physicist
Early Life and Education
- Early education in Munich, Germany.
- Attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich, Switzerland.
- Graduated with a diploma in physics and mathematics in 1900.
- Awarded a PhD from the University of Zurich in 1905.
Career and Major Achievements
- Published four groundbreaking papers in 1905 (the "Annus Mirabilis papers").
- Developed the theory of special relativity.
- Explained the photoelectric effect, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
- Developed the theory of general relativity.
- Worked at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern, Switzerland.
- Held professorships at various universities, including the University of Berlin and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
Notable Works
- "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (1905) - Introduced special relativity.
- "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?" (1905) - Introduced mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²).
- "On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" (1905) - Explained the photoelectric effect.
- "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity" (1916)
Legacy and Impact
Albert Einstein is considered one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century. His theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the universe. He became a symbol of science and intellect. It is within these contexts that one might consider a comprehensive examination such as the "jeremy brian griffis biography of albert", if such a work existed, would delve into the nuances of his life and work.