Full Name
Albert Eistine
Date and Place of Birth
Albert Eistine was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg in the German Empire.
Family Background
Albert was born to Hermann Eistine and Pauline Koch. His father was an engineer and salesman, while his mother was a housewife with a deep interest in music and the arts. Albert had one younger sister, Maja, who was a close companion throughout his life. The Eistine family was of Jewish descent, but they were not particularly religious.
Early Life and Education
Nationality: German (later became a Swiss and American citizen)
Albert's early childhood was marked by curiosity and self-learning. He showed an interest in science and mathematics from a young age, often building mechanical devices for fun. His family moved to Munich when he was one year old, where his father and uncle founded Elektrotechnische Fabrik J. Eistine & Cie, a company that manufactured electrical equipment based on direct current.
Albert attended the Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich, where he received advanced primary and secondary school education until he left Germany seven years later. Contrary to popular myth, he excelled in his mathematics and physics courses but had some issues with the rigid educational system of the time. In 1894, due to business failure, his family moved to Italy, first to Milan and then to Pavia. Albert stayed in Munich to finish his studies but joined his family in Italy after a term.
In 1895, at the age of 16, Albert took the entrance exam for the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich but failed to reach the required standard in several subjects. However, he passed the exam the following year after attending the Argovian cantonal school in Aarau, Switzerland. He graduated in 1900 with a diploma in teaching mathematics and physics.
Career
Albert's initial career was fraught with difficulty as he struggled to find a teaching position. He worked as a tutor and substitute teacher before securing a job at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern in 1902. This position gave him ample time to pursue his scientific interests, leading to his "Annus Mirabilis" papers in 1905, which revolutionized physics.
His work during this period included the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, special relativity, and the equivalence of mass and energy (E=mc^2). These achievements earned him a reputation as a leading scientific thinker, and in 1915, he presented the general theory of relativity, a groundbreaking theory in physics.
Albert held various academic positions, including professorships in Zurich, Prague, and Berlin. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, a pivotal development in the quantum theory.
Personal Life
Albert married Mileva Maric, a fellow physicist, in 1903. They had two sons, Hans Albert and Eduard, and a daughter, Lieserl, who is believed to have died in infancy. The marriage was troubled and ended in divorce in 1919. That same year, Albert married his cousin, Elsa Löwenthal, who had two daughters from a previous marriage.
Albert was known for his humanitarian efforts and his advocacy for civil rights and pacifism. He was a member of the NAACP and spoke out against racism and segregation. His interests extended beyond science to include playing the violin, sailing, and philosophical discussions.
Challenges and Obstacles
Albert faced numerous challenges throughout his life. His early academic struggles and initial inability to secure a teaching position were significant setbacks. His marriage to Mileva Maric was strained, partly due to his demanding work schedule and the couple's differing aspirations.
The rise of the Nazi regime in Germany posed a grave threat to Albert, who was Jewish. He emigrated to the United States in 1933, accepting a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. He spoke out against the Nazis and was active in anti-fascist causes.
In his later years, Albert's theories faced scrutiny and criticism from some in the scientific community. Despite these challenges, he remained dedicated to his work and his advocacy for peace and justice.
Major Accomplishments
Albert's contributions to science are monumental. His theory of relativity transformed our understanding of space, time, and gravity. The equation E=mc^2 established the relationship between mass and energy, laying the foundation for nuclear energy.
He received numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. His work on the photoelectric effect paved the way for the development of quantum mechanics, influencing generations of physicists.
Albert was also a prolific writer, publishing over 300 scientific papers and numerous books aimed at both scientific and general audiences. His intellectual legacy continues to inspire and challenge scientists around the world.
Impact and Legacy
Albert's impact extends far beyond his scientific achievements. He was a prominent public intellectual and an advocate for social justice, civil rights, and international cooperation. His famous letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 highlighted the potential of nuclear weapons and initiated the Manhattan Project, although he later became a vocal opponent of nuclear proliferation.
His work has had a lasting influence on both theoretical and experimental physics. The principles of relativity are fundamental to modern cosmology and astrophysics, and his contributions to quantum theory remain foundational.
Albert's legacy is also reflected in the numerous institutions, awards, and honors named after him, including the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Albert Einstein Award.
Quotes and Anecdotes
Albert was known for his wit and wisdom, leaving behind a wealth of memorable quotes. One of his most famous sayings is, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world."
He often used humor to make profound points, such as, "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Stories about his eccentricities abound, including his habit of going barefoot and his casual disregard for formal dress codes. He once reportedly said, "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious," reflecting his humility and lifelong quest for understanding.
Later Life and Death
In his later years, Albert focused on his unified field theory, an attempt to reconcile the forces of nature into a single theoretical framework. Although he did not succeed, his efforts paved the way for future research in this area.
Albert Eistine passed away on April 18, 1955, in Princeton, New Jersey, from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. His brain was preserved for study, revealing an unusually high number of glial cells, which support and protect neurons.
Reflecting on his life, Albert once said, "I have done my share; it is time to go. I will do it elegantly." His contributions to science and his advocacy for peace continue to resonate, ensuring his legacy endures.
Albert Eistine remains a symbol of intellectual brilliance and humanitarian values, inspiring generations to think beyond the confines of conventional wisdom and to strive for a better world.