Albert Einstein

Born in Ulm, Germany, in 1879, Albert Einstein grew into one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century. He is best known for developing the special and general theories of relativity, and for the famous equation E = mc², which linked mass and energy in a way that transformed science.

Einstein also made major contributions to quantum theory, especially through his explanation of the photoelectric effect, the work for which he received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics. After holding positions in Switzerland, Prague, Berlin, and elsewhere in Europe, he left Germany after the rise of the Nazi regime and settled in the United States.

He spent the later part of his life at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, where he continued his scientific work until his death in 1955. Beyond physics, he became known around the world for his outspoken views on war, peace, freedom, and human responsibility.