Byword for Brilliance

When people think of a real genius, the name “Albert Einstein” comes to mind as the force behind the most dramatic scientific developments in the 20th century and as a moving force behind scientific and intellectual innovation.  The genius of Albert Einstein amazed even the greatest minds of his generation, and his theory of relativity was the most influential theory since that of Sir Isaac Newton.  The genius of Albert Einstein is known to all, even to those who do not have a sufficiently deep understanding of physics to comprehend his theories.  The winner of Time magazine’s most influential thinker of the 20th century has long been a household name.

Early life of Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was born in March 14, 1879 in Germany.  The family were Jewish, although they did not observe Jewish traditions and lived as assimilated Germans.  Work requirements brought the family to Italy for a while, until Albert Einstein finally settled in Switzerland as a young man and became a Swiss citizen.  In his early years, the genius of Albert Einstein was not apparent, because he had a severe speech handicap that disguised his brilliance.  However, a cousin introduced him to philosophy and mathematics, for which he had a great affinity, and he began writing scientific essays at a very young age.

Annus Mirabilus (Remarkable Year)

1905 was called the “annus mirabilus,” or the remarkable year during which the genius of Albert Einstein began to shine through.  At first, it didn’t seem so promising, since he could not find work and was forced to work in a patent office in Switzerland.  However, he began writing innovative essays on photoelectric effect, atomic theory, speed of light, and relativity.  This paved the way for his future work on relativity and quantum physics, which would earn him a Nobel Prize in 1921.  When these initial essays were published, the genius of Albert Einstein began to be appreciated.  He was hired as a professor first in Switzerland, then in Prague, and finally at the University of Berlin.

Escape and Immigration

Albert Einstein’s genius was admired worldwide as he continued his work in the area of unified field theory and quantum physics.  He expressed his political views openly, including his disdain for the Nazi movement as it gained power.  When Hitler was elected Chancellor, Albert Einstein left Germany for California and became an American citizen.  However, he helped many Jews escape Germany by using his influence to secure visas.  Albert Einstein died of a brain aneurism in 1955.  To learn more about the life of Albert Einstein, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein.